Jazz band give Worthing serviceman unforgetable funeral (From The Argus)

Jazz band give Worthing serviceman unforgetable funeral

11:10am Saturday 14th May 2011 in News By Rebecca Evans

A Second World War serviceman with an “unforgettable smile” was given a traffic stopping send-off yesterday.

A jazz band led the funeral cortege along the A27 at the funeral of John Thwaites, 86, who served in the RAF.

Mr Thwaites was a passionate jazz lover who saw the Glenn Miller band whilst serving in Malaya.

His daughter Janice Mitchell, who lives in Worthing, said her father “loved life in the service.”

The 57-year-old said: “He was just a bod - he was not that important. We decided to give him a good send off because to me he was very important and he was to our family.

“I realised you could laugh and cry for two reasons at the same time today.

“It was fantastic send-off. I don't think I have ever heard of, been to or seen a funeral like it.

“It epitomised what he was. He was comedian.”

Mr Thwaites was married to his wife Vi, who died in January, for 66 years.

After the war he worked at the Palace Pier collecting money at the slot machines.

He was buried at Durrington Cemetery.

Mrs Mitchell said: “No one will ever forget his smile.”