Tributes paid to Disco Pete at funeral in Brighton

Family and close friends gathered at the Downs Crematorium yesterday to pay their respects to Pete Turner, commonly known in the city as Disco Pete.

The music lover, who has been described as a "local legend" due to his regular appearances at festivals and events, his dancing and colourful outfits, died last month at the age of 84.

His coffin arrived at the crematorium in a horse and cart adorned with feathers, flowers and one of his signature hats.

Disco Pete's coffin was surrounded by artwork and photos, with one of his signature hats on top

A limited number of family and friends could attend the funeral due to coronavirus restrictions, and the celebrant Joanna Warrington said under normal circumstances "this service would be packed".

Ms Warrington, a friend of the family, said: "Everyone knew summer was on the way when they saw Pete dancing on the seafront. He put smiles on so many faces.

"He is now part of this city's history and will be remembered with great fondness."

Pete was born in Buckingham Road in Brighton in 1937.

He joined the RAF as a young man and worked as a radar mechanic, serving in Tripoli.

For most of his life he worked with children and young people, including as a care worker at Chailey Heritage Foundation and later as a caretaker at Stanford Infants School in Brighton, before he retired in 2001.

Disco Pete

Pete's passion for music was evident throughout his life and his daughter Vanessa grew up surrounded by records, cassettes and CDs.

He had started dancing in the 1960s and the first club he attended was Sherry's Dance Hall in West Street.

The celebrant said Pete "lived a long and rich life and remained young at heart and spirit" as he was still attending club nights and other music events well into his old age.

When he moved into Adelaide Nursing Home in Hove in 2018, his daughter Vanessa said to staff: "I'm going to ask you a question you won't have heard before.

"What time can I bring him home after clubbing?"

Street art mural of Disco Pete in Trafalgar Lane, Brighton

Pete also loved nature and enjoyed walking in the Sussex countryside, which inspired him to write poetry and draw.

He overcame cancer in 2007 but suffered with Parkinson's disease and died peacefully in his sleep on February 13.

Pete’s family have set up a tribute page where well-wishers can pay their respects and add memories and pictures.

Donations can also be made to the family’s three chosen charities - Cancer Research UK, Chestnut Tree House and Parkinson’s UK on the tribute page.