Round of applause for Waterlooville's much-missed Tony

A MINUTE'S applause and the Dambusters March helped friends and family bid a fond farewell to a much-loved businessman.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Feb 2016, 06:06 BST

The coffin of Waterlooville businessman Tony Edwards is carried into The Oaks Crematorium

Picture: Sarah Standing (160203-1900) — The coffin of Waterlooville businessman Tony Edwards is carried into The Oaks Crematorium Picture: Sarah Standing (160203-1900)

More than 200 people packed into The Oaks crematorium in Havant to say goodbye to Tony Edwards, who died aged 90 on January 5.

Mr Edwards, from Denmead, was a well-known figure across Waterlooville whose family construction firm J Edwards built many hundreds of houses in the area.

In a eulogy, friend Dr Tim Goulder yesterday recalled how he was absolutely passionate about sport and was ‘energetic, gregarious and good humoured’.

He added: ‘Tony was also cheerful, honest and open with everyone he met, while maintaining a shrewd sparkle in his eyes.’

Mourners were asked to applaud Mr Edwards for a full minute until a football whistle blew.