THE overcast skies and the presence of half-a-dozen gleaming vintage cars provided a poignant finale to the life of Bury vehicle enthusiast George Norbury.
The 71-year-old's body was transported to Overdale Crematorium on Chorley New Road, Bolton, inside a sparkling Rolls Royce Phantom.
Behind it was a fleet of classic cars, each one black and each one a glowing testament to George's fascination with old vehicles.
It could have been a royal procession and the occasion was no less grand as family and friends gathered to say their final farewells to a man so obsessed by his cars, he had carried out maintenance work on his beloved vehicles just hours before his death.
From his home in Bury New Road, Whitefield, George had run a thriving wedding car service with his partner, Patricia Jones, who had been by his side for the last 35 years. But a week ago, on November 13, he died peacefully. In his later years, the pensioner developed a heart complaint.
His legend will live on, however, as his wife takes over the vintage car hire business full time.
She said: "He was such a lovely, funny man who made so many people very happy."
George had lived in Whitefield since 1929 and had formerly worked at General Engineering in Radcliffe.
He was actively involved with the Rolls Royce Club, Manchester Vintage Car Club, the Vintage Sports Car Club, and the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and members were yesterday mourning his death.
He was also associated with the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society and Manchester Civic Society.
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