As many readers will know my good friend and regular contibutor to our blog James Long passed away suddenly on the 21st of June. Yesterday i travelled to Ipswich to attend Jim's Funeral service and pay my respects.
The service took place at the Seven Hills Crematorium on the outskirts of Ipswich. Jim's cortege arrived followed by Viv Carters immaculate RML CUV266C and First VA479 AU53HJV. As a tribute to Jim the screen on 479 had been programmed especially for Jim as you can see from the photo above, he would have loved that!
It was a very moving service with members of Jim's family sharing their memories of their Dad & Grandad, he was a real family man but had injected his hobby into them with his son Darren describing how he could tell various sorts of buses from a distance thanks to his Dad's enthusiasm! I was joined by Chris Speed and members of staff from First's Ipswich Depot as well as a full chapel of family, friends and former work colleagues including fellow enthusiasts Viv Carter, Maurice Doggett, Stuart McNae and many more.
Jim will be sadly missed by many people, he always wore a smile and had time for anyone who wanted to talk Buses, i will miss our chats, texts and emails, i still look now in my inbox hoping one will appear from him but thats not to be, he will be looking down on events now noting all the changes and keeping up to date i am sure. You were a good man Jim and may you Rest in Peace now my friend and as you always said to me after any conversation, email or text, Take Care.
JAMES 'Jim' LONG
1943 - 2016
Grahame.
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