Lymington shows love for 'Trolley Eddie' after celebrant's appeal for council funeral

LYMINGTON has been hailed as “one of the most caring towns in the UK” after its “overwhelming” response to a request for people to attend the funeral of a man with no family.

The praise has come from Tim Oddy, a celebrant who works for Albert Marsh funeral directors based in Wareham, who was organising the funeral of Eddie McCabe – known to many as the town’s former Tesco trolley man.

Eddie, who died in December, had been a much-loved character, known to many residents as Trolley Eddie.

But his send-off was being arranged by New Forest District Council as he had no one to organise or pay for it.

Mr Oddy said: “I feel so sad when, at a council funeral, it is often just the staff of the funeral home who attend and nothing is known about the person who has died.

“I was speaking to someone at the Baptist church where Mr McCabe used to go and they told me he was actually well-known in the town.

“I put a post about him on social media and was totally overwhelmed by the response.

“I had well over 120 replies and messages about him which, to me, shows that Lymington is one of the most caring towns in the UK.”

Originally from Liverpool, Eddie was living at Barfields in the town before his death, having worked at Tesco in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Store manager Steve Lea told the A&T: “He was known as an eccentric but very happy guy who was known to all the customers.

“He had a big laugh and worked here for about 15-20 years.

“There are still staff here who worked with him and they all said what a lovely person he was.”

Mr Oddy added: “Lots of former work colleagues got in touch to tell me lovely memories of him, and also customers who said what a nice man he was.

“Many remembered him as being very friendly, slightly eccentric, and loved by staff and customers alike.

“He was described as being a man with a big laugh.

“I found it just so heartening how many people responded.

“Some have said they intend to come to his funeral, which is lovely to think that he will now get a proper send-off.”

Among comments on Mr Oddy’s social media post was one from a former customer, saying: “We knew Eddie for many years. He was the ever cheerful chappie at Tesco.”

Another recalled: “Lovely guy – what a character!”

One shopper at the store remembered: “He was the life and soul of Lymington Tesco. His loud laugh could be heard all over the store.”

Eddie’s funeral is at Bournemouth crematorium tomorrow (Friday) at 9.15am.