‘The fact there were 400 people at his funeral tells you what kind of bloke he was’

Andrew was “The King of the Postal Cadets” in Stockport – now he’s been given a first-class send-off

It was no surprise that Andrew Farnsworth got a first class send off. For 40 years he was a dedicated and much-loved Royal Mail worker.

He joined at the age of 15 as a cadet and did everything from postman, working in the sorting office, and driving a 7.5 tonne truck. His entire career was spent working in Stockport.

He died aged 56 from multiple cancers. Following his funeral cortege were 14 post office trucks and vans driven by colleagues who will never forget him. Four hundred people attended his funeral.

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His workmate, Anne-Marie Pollard-Vearnals said: “The fact there were 400 people at his funeral tells you what kind of bloke he was. He was outgoing, he was generous, he was loving, and caring. He got people together. He organised work does so people were not left out.

“He kept in touch will all of his friends, family, partner’s family, his cousins. He was a man that really just enjoyed life. He was a few months short of his 40 years service. So I applied to my manager and said ‘come on lets get him his 40 years service’ and they did. So it got a special presentation, a card, and a silver pin badge.

“At his funeral his youngest son was wearing the pin badge.”

Andrew leaves a partner, Caroline Hutton, and their three sons, Harper, 20, Corin, 18, and Senan, 15.

Andrew was raised in Edgeley but later moved to the Wirral. But he travelled each day to Stockport to work for the Royal Mail.

Last month Dave Kennedy, Branch Secretary for the Communication Workers Union North West Central Amalgamated Branch posted: “Today, we mourn the loss of Andrew Farnsworth. Loyal Branch member, veteran of every dispute since 1988 and a personal friend for 37 years. Life can be so cruel. Lots of Love to Caroline and the boys. Sleep tight Farni – you will forever be the king of the postal cadets.”

Anne-Marie said: “Andrew was well known in Stockport, first starting at Royal Mail 40 years ago as a cadet. He did walks as a postman, worked on the machines and finally settled on driving. His family were proud that Royal Mail honoured him in this way. There were over 400 friends and family at the Crematorium. The celebrations continued at The Dog and Partridge Stockport.”