Cycle procession marks Don Lock's funeral

Updated

Hundreds of cyclists have taken part in a procession for the funeral of a "loving and generous" great-grandfather who was stabbed to death in an alleged road rage attack.

More than 2,000 people are estimated to have lined the streets of Worthing, West Sussex, as the procession of at least 200 cyclists accompanied the hearse carrying Don Lock to the town's crematorium.

The 79-year-old keen cyclist died after the incident which followed a collision involving his car and another vehicle on the A24 at Findon, near Worthing, on July 16.

The cyclists, lead by Mr Lock's son, Andrew, passed by the scene where flowers remain in his memory.

On arrival at Worthing Crematorium, Andrew Lock got changed from the team strip of Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club, which both he and his father belonged to, into a suit ready for the service which was attended by about 800 people.

The cyclists formed lines at the entrance to the chapel and created an arch with their front wheels through which Mr Lock's wicker coffin, draped in the flag of his favourite football team, Brighton and Hove Albion, was carried.

The family and friends wore the dark blue, light blue and white colours of both the cycling club and the football club, of which he was a season ticket holder.

The mourners were asked to bring a single blue or white flower to place on the coffin with donations to be made to the Help The Heroes charity.

Paying tribute to her husband of 55 years, Mr Lock's widow Maureen described him as a loving and generous man who always gave his support to his family and friends, and to his cycling team co-members.

She said: "Don was a wonderful, kind, loving, generous husband, always supportive, always there for you, always there with a smile to welcome you.

"I will miss him so much. I am so proud he has touched so many hearts. When Don was taken from us, it was the most heart-breaking situation possible.

"The support we had from all around the UK and beyond has been phenomenal, thank you for your support."

She described how her husband, who had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, had been a keen stamp collector and traveller who had visited many countries around the world, with Scotland remaining a favourite.

Andrew Lock described how his father had founded the East Grinstead cycling club before later joining the Worthing Excelsiors and had gone on to inspire him to take up cycling, and said he would be missed at the club's events.

He said: "Somehow I think he will still be in the lay-bys and verges cheering us on.

"I think it is fair to say if dad was not a man he would like to be a bird, but as a man he did the next best thing, he rode."

Mr Lock finished his tribute by describing: "Dad cycling through the pearly gates, wearing the yellow jersey. You have won Dad."

Don Lock's daughter, Sandra, sobbed as she described how her father had been diagnosed, fought and beat prostate cancer during a four-year period.

She said: "Through those four years I knew you were scared and your hugs got longer and tighter as you thought each of them might be the last.

"We thought everything would be alright and it was - until the 16th of July when the bubble burst completely and my world was turned upside down and I won't be able to feel your hugs again.

"A big piece of my heart went with you that day and my life will never be the same again without you in it."

She finished by saying: "I miss you Dad so much, but I know you will be watching over me and keeping me safe."

His grandchildren said: "Our granddad was a big kid at heart, he was so much fun to be around. We will miss you Granddad dearly but will cherish his memory forever."

The family released balloons in the garden of the crematorium following the service.

A tribute by the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club described Mr Lock as a "legend" and said he was "a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being for whom helping and encouraging the people around him came as second nature".

It added: "Don was a truly talented rider holding many club records and trophies during his outstanding and long racing career, he was still winning events up to 2010."

Matthew Daley, 34, of Worthing, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place in connection with Mr Lock's death.

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