Shoreham Airshow disaster: Maurice Abrahams - Modest man, local hero

A gleaming Daimler pulled up and her chauffeur for the day Maurice Abrahams emerged from the driver's seat, early as usual.

He had thought of every detail to put the bride at ease. Nothing was too much trouble, his jokes and heart-warming words made sure it was the happiest day of her life, just as it was meant to be.

As she took a deep breath before stepping out of the car and walking down the aisle, he offered sage advice she said she would never forget: “Live life to the full. Never let anything stop you.”

It was a motto Mr Abrahams chose to live by and Miss Bowyer, soon to become Mrs Baker, was not alone in her fond memories of him.

For more than 20 years he comforted scores of brides-to-be in his charge as he chauffeured them across Sussex.

Everyone remembers the champagne he poured, the jokes he cracked and his pride for his car which he told everyone was similar to that used by the Queen.

Mrs Baker, 21, of Sompting, was preparing to marry 57-year-old Stan, of Worthing, at the village's United Reform church on June 27.

The pair have since moved to Dudley to start a new life together.

But they watched in horror this week as they saw the beloved car they drove away from their wedding in the wreckage of the Shoreham Airshow tragedy, realising the 76-year-old driver had been involved.

Mrs Baker said: "He was the type of guy that just knew what to say at the right time. I was so nervous and he kept me calm through it all.

"He said loads of jokes, had a great sense of humour. I have never met anyone like him."

Carly Sayce, who was born in Brighton before moving to Seaford, will always remember how he appeared "out of nowhere" at the side of the church door just before she was about to enter with a bottle of water. "Take a sip of this", he advised.

The 32-year-old, who married Peter in September 2010, at St Andrew's Church, Bishopstone, said: "Maurice had thought of everything and didn't want me to go in there with a dry mouth. He was so professional.“He played some funny getaway music, something like Queen’s I Want To Break Free, as we left the church and waved and hooted to people as we passed by.

“I remember it was one of my happiest moments of the day because it was just me and my husband.”

Ericka Davies-Budgen, who married Thomas in July at Eastbourne Register Office, said Maurice was the perfect gentleman.

The 24-year-old, of Telscombe Cliffs, said: “He showed me how to get in and out of the car while looking elegant. Hiring him and the car was such a lovely surprise from my dad. He made the day perfect.”

Darryl Jeal, of Woodingdean, married Amy on April 12 last year at St Margaret’s Church in Rottingdean.

The 42-year-old said: “We lived around the corner from Maurice and saw him driving the car so looked him up for our wedding.

“He was so proud of his car, he was often out polishing it at seven o’clock at night.

“He came round before the day a bit embarrassed because he couldn’t remember what colour my wife wanted the ribbons. I couldn’t either and he joked that we’d better get that right.

“He had a great sense of humour. He got us cans of vodka and lemonade as we didn’t like champagne.”

Scott Mercado, 45, of Portslade, who married Deborah in May 2006 in Ticehurst, said: “We were so lucky to have him as a chauffeur. The car was absolutely immaculate.

“My wife recalls how patient he was on the wedding day, even though she was running late. He just smiled and said he would do his best to get there on time and he did.

“He kept hens in the back garden and when chicks were born he kindly let my son hold one and gave us eggs.”

Maurice delighted countless couples over the years with his generosity and kindness. In 2004, for example, he escorted Roberto Demaisip and his wife-to-be Lisezl to their wedding on his day off at a cut price.

Mr Demaisip, 46, of Telscombe Cliffs, said: “I saw Maurice and his car by chance in the street five days before the wedding and just asked if he was free. He said ‘you’re lucky, I am’.

“He was so genuine, he had an infectious smile. It was a lovely surprise for my wife. He came to the door with a coat for her.

“We got married at the Royal Pavilion and he stayed with us the whole day, taking us to our reception at the St John the Baptist church hall and giving us champagne.”

Dan Viviani, 38, of Mile Oak, said Maurice came to the rescue with green and white umbrellas when the heavens opened as he married Marie on July 17 that same year at St Peter’s Church in Portland Road, Hove.

He said he was “courteous, friendly with a kind and natural manner”.

Mark Henderson, owner of Bevendean-based Sussex Bridal Cars, worked with Maurice from 1986 until 2003 before the company closed.

The 55-year-old, from Newhaven, fondly remembers how Maurice once put a photographer in his place for continually leaving fingerprints on the glass of the wedding car.

He said: “It infuriated all of us but none of us was brave enough to say anything. One day Maurice, very politely but with a wry smile, asked him to kindly use the handle to open and close the door. It worked.”

Maurice was an ex-paratrooper and Grenadier Guard and a former Hampshire policeman and was also a pillar of the community – a fish and chip shop owner, a dedicated member of the Ovingdean Village Hall committee and a selfless neighbour and friend to so many.

He and his wife were also known for taking in exchange students visiting the south coast.

Maurice enlisted with the guards and the Parachute Regiment in 1957. He served in both the third and first battalion before joining an elite company of the Parachute Regiment.

John Norris, honorary secretary of the Sussex branch of the Grenadier Guards Association, said: “Only very few got past the training and selection process. He was for many years a member of the Grenadier Guards Regimental Association of Sussex and a number of members will be attending his funeral. Once a grenadier, always a grenadier.”

Pat Anderson, a former chairman of the Ovingdean Village Hall Committee who knew Maurice for 30 years, said: “He started helping out when he lived in Ovingdean. He was an extraordinary man. He used to decorate the hall in the summer at 4am just so we wouldn’t have to close it to groups. Everyone knew him and if you wanted a job done, you asked Maurice.”

Jazz musician Peter Baxter, 75, said Maurice ensured he was paid when he performed at a concert in Newhaven.

He said: “He turned up to support me when I was playing the trombone as Fats Baxter about 20 years ago. In between my songs I told him the organiser wouldn’t give me my money so he went into the office and came out shortly after saying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got your money for you’. He had said I would leave if I wasn’t paid. Once he rescued me after a gig at 4am when I broke down.”

The pair first met serving in Cyprus in the 1960s. Years later they became close friends when Mr Baxter opened a fish and chip shop in Boundary Road and Maurice opened one with his wife in Montpelier Place, Brighton.

Julia Stenning used to babysit Maurice’s daughter and worked at the chip shop for three years in the 1980s.

The 49-year-old, who now lives near Taunton in Somerset, said: “Maurice always insisted on driving me home to Florence Road to make sure I got back safely.

“He was a true gentleman who loved his family and vintage cars. He always made sure I took a meal home.”

Ericka Waller, 33, of Rottingdean, met Maurice as a handyman when his son Edward used to mow her lawn and a friendship blossomed.

She said: “We got on straight away. I have seen him almost every day since that.”

As a community stalwart he never let anyone down and he promised the same to his brides.

“Unless something happens to me, I will always turn up,” he told Alex Luxton just days before her wedding in 2010.

He had phoned to check with her after hearing there was some confusion with the arrangements.

Mrs Luxton, 30, of Hove, who married Stephen at St Peter’s Church, Hangleton, said he kept his promise and on the day wished the newly-weds every happiness as he had been so blessed with his own long and happy marriage.

She said: “He played The Rolling Stones’ Jumpin’ Jack Flash as we left the church which made everyone laugh.

“The worst thing is my daughter and I saw the Hawker Hunter crash at the airshow and later found out Maurice was among the victims.”

Last Saturday, Maurice buttoned up his suit jacket, straightened his chauffeur’s cap and polished his Daimler for one last time, ready to collect Rebecca Sheen, of Goring, for her wedding. This time he did not arrive.