Tribute paid to local legend known for 'wheeling, dealing and always smiling'
A local legend famed in Huntingdon for his 'Del Boy' ways and his chirpy, happy attitude has died aged 83. Fred Smith was extremely popular, and known by staff members and locals at the town's pubs, shops, cafes, and even the council recycling centre.
He was recognisable in his distinctive leather fisherman's hat, driving around in his white pick-up truck. Fred was still working at the age of 83, and his long career saw him taking up positions as a caretaker, grave-digger, painter and decorator, and builder.
Fred even built a narrow boat from steel in his back garden according to his son, Ian Reynolds. Ian said his father's happy demeanour rubbed off onto everyone he met: "Fred, my father, was a very popular, well known, one-in-a-million character.
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"He used to walk around with a spring in his step, and was known for wearing his leather hat, driving around in his white pick-up truck and greeting people by saying to them: ‘alright my blue’, or ‘alright my sweet’. You just don’t come across characters like him now.
"Regardless of the many continual difficulties, knockbacks, challenges, medical issues and emotional pain in his life and working up to the ripe old age of 83 to survive financially, he just refused to let it consume him and bring him down. Instead, he preferred to go out of his way to help people."
Ian added: "One example of this is where a man he knew was being harassed by a neighbour, so my dad got him placed into a safe ward-assisted-home. In fact, he did this for two individuals. He’d smile, surround himself with happy people, and choose laughter, jokes and socialising. He generally kept himself busy by working away doing building jobs for people, and a bit of wheeling and dealing on the side."
Ian likened his father to the iconic 'Del Boy' character from Only Fools and Horses. "He was a real Del Boy with a large network of both friends and people that he would buy goods from and sell goods too, he said. "The goods were never high in value, and he’d haggle away to buy the goods, which were usually broken, faulty recalls or needed TLC but, somehow, and with a smile on his face, he’d convince the buyer that they needed the item that he was selling."
Fred loved hustling, music, and dancing. When people spotted him out and about, they would toot their horns and wave at him, shouting 'alright Fred', Ian said.
He added: "He taught me many things and I’m so sad that he’s gone. It’s only when my dad passed away that I realised just how much of a huge impact he had on me, my family and his friends of Huntingdon, and I see just how many character traits that me and my children share of his. Finally, I take from his passing, that if you sit down do nothing and complain about your situation, then you’ll end up complaining alone. Whereas if you choose laughter, jokes, socialising, hard work and putting yourself out to help others, then you’ll never be alone."
Fred Smith's funeral will be held on Friday, February 21, at 2.30pm at Huntingdon Crematorium on Sapley Road. All are welcome.
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