Tributes paid to ex-Portsmouth signwriter Vernon Fletcher, who has died age 78

Vernon Fletcher died on March 3, age 78, leaving behind wife Susan, four children Debby, Martin, Gary and Kevin, and six grandchildren.

The ‘larger than life’ man spent his whole life in Portsmouth, working at the dockyard, St James’ Hospital and more.

But it was his time as a signwriter that many will know him for, including almost 30 years writing signs for The News.

From decorating our vans to creating dazzling signs promoting events in the city, Vernon – affectionately known as ‘Vern’ – and his work became loved by many.

Daughter Debby said: ‘He worked freelance but did a lot of work for The News, which he loved.

‘For many years he was the official sign writer for The News and would regularly write shop fronts and large billboards outside the News Centre and football grounds in the city.

‘He was a larger than life character, fun-loving and everyone seemed to know him.

‘Dad had plenty of stories to tell and a vast number of friends.’

On Tuesday Vernon’s funeral will be held for a select few family members, although it will also be live-streamed.

His children recall coming home from school each day to find their dad playing a different character every evening.

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Son Martin said: ‘Sometimes he would be Norman Wisdom, another time he was Tarzan.

‘You would never know which character you would be met with when you walked through the front door.

‘My friends were his friends – they would always ask about him.’

Vernon was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer a couple of years ago, and it was this that led to his death.

With so many friends both in Portsmouth and further afield, Vernon’s family hope plenty of people will be able to watch the funeral live-stream.

Debby said: ‘He was such a likeable person – we could go on a cruise and he would bump into somebody he knew.

‘For us it’s just so sad that we can’t invite everyone to the funeral. He could have probably packed out two churches.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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