The Grantham public have the chance to pay their final respects to George Garrett, as his funeral takes place today at St Wulfram’s Church.
The funeral procession will begin at noon on St Peter’s Hill, along High Street, down to Finkin Street and on to the church.
George, who died on Saturday 4th May, is someone virtually everyone in Grantham knew and no one has a bad word for.
Born in Welby Street 78 years ago when it was full of terraced houses, and later moving to George Street, George caught whooping cough at an early age, and the damage it did was to affect the rest of his life.
But he set out to help everyone.
In his early days he enjoyed nothing more than visiting the cattle market, helping farmers to drive their beast into the trucks or cleaning them out. He was frequently rewarded with a couple of pounds or a coffee.
Another haunt was the old bus station, where he helped passengers with their luggage, never forgetting to doff his cap to the ladies and sometimes giving them a kiss.
There is one anecdote that in the 1960s, a new Woolworth manager told George he wasn’t allowed in unless he was shopping. The staff downed tools and until the manager changed his mind, which he did very quickly!
When Morrisons opened, he adopted it. He became unofficial lift attendant and collected the trolleys from the car park.
The store offered to pay George for his services, but this was too much for him. He didn’t want the responsibility and stayed indoors for nearly two months.
But he still helped shoppers and expected nothing in return although frequently got tips.
George was always on parade for Armistice Day and always took the salute at war memorial although never saw active service himself.
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