Friends, family and colleagues of the late great taxi driver George “Gorgeous George” Vyse gathered for his funeral today (Monday, June 13) at St George’s Cathedral.
After the morning service, a long procession of taxis followed the hearse to Honor Oak Crematorium, where mourners said goodbye for the final time.
George died on Sunday, May 15, aged 82 after a collision with a moped on Kennington Lane the preceding Thursday.
His passing comes as a great shock to a trade in which George, a Kennington resident for most of his life, was an ever-present figure.
Known as “Gorgeous George” for his impeccable style and beautiful cabs, he was a taxi driver for over forty years.
George is said to have revolutionised the taxi industry. In 1984, he successfully fought for taxi drivers’ rights to have radios in their taxis. The Public Carriage Office (PCO), then regulating the taxi trade, had previously banned them.
Prior to his death, George had wanted to roll out more electric charge points across the capital, for cabbies making the switch to electric cars.
Members of the taxi trade came from all across London, and even the Midlands, to pay their respects to George.
Many of them were regular visitors to his Southwark Street office, where he would advise hundreds of taxi drivers on everything and anything, usually over a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Described by those who knew him best as “a great talker”, “sage-like” and “the master of finding five minutes for everyone”, he will be sorely missed.
The service, conducted by Father Dermott O’Gorman, saw mourners sing ‘Jerusalem’ for the entrance hymn and depart after ‘Abide with Me’.