Fred the Wolverhampton ring road tramp was given a no-frills funeral befitting of his simple existence.
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There were no hymns, no order of service and no eulogy for the legendary 87-year-old, whose real name was Josef Stawinoga.
The simple 20-minute service in Fred’s native Polish took place at Bushbury Crematorium yesterday.
It was conducted by Father Edward Pondel, a Polish Catholic priest.
Rosebuds, lillies and carnations in the red and white of the Polish flag lay on the coffin – brought in and exited to Chopin’s Warsaw Concerto. Nocturne.
Among the 20 or so mourners was friend Julius Leonowicz, who worked with him at Stewarts and Lloyds steelworks, Bilston, before Josef set up a tent on Ring Road St John’s.
Mr Leonowicz said afterwards: “His suffering is ended now and at least he has escaped the winter. I spoke to him just before he died and wondered how he would survive the cold.”
Jolanta White, whose late father Alexander Lappo helped Fred on behalf of Wolverhampton’s Polish community, attended the service with her mother Henryka Lappo, 80.
She said: “I can remember as a child going up to the ring road with my mum, taking his meals. We just wanted to make his life as comfortable as possible. He didn’t say very much but ate whatever we brought him. He was part of my growing up.”
Corinne Giles and Sye Lycett of the council’s Meals on Wheels service attended.
Transport officer Sue said staff had fond memories of their most eccentric customer. As well as delivering his dinner every weekday for 30 years, they also brought an occasional goody bag of tobacco, papers and chocolate. She said: “We’ll miss him. He was no trouble. .”
Also among the mourners were people who did not know Fred but felt a great deal of affection for him. He was found dead in his tent on October 28. A post mortem said he died of pneumonia.
16 Comments
Those who did help and care for ‘Fred’ are truly blessed, Wolverhampton is lucky to have such a caring community who are willing to help all those in need.
Rest in Peace Fred
i saw a tent in the midle of the ring road when i was about seven and i asked my dad what it was he sed fred lives there so i sat by the window waving at freds house i had never ever scene fred and today i was going to hootys with my grandad and i said ohh yay i can see my friend fred agian today he sed no sorry jade you cant he passed away the other day i said oh well may he rest in peace god bless you fred x x
What a shame
good to see that he got a dignified send off
I LIVE IN CYPRUS NOW BUT EVERY TIME I VISIT MY FAMILY IN WOLVERHAMPTON I LOOK FOR FRED,THANK GOD HE WAS LEFT ALONE TO LIVE THE LIFE HE CHOSE HIS TENT WILL BE MISSED IME SURE.
I went to Wolverhampton once. I just thought it was the lord mayor!
I also live in cyprus now and like many others were sorry to hear about freds death.when my daughter was a child of about 6 years she sent fred her harvest parcel from school.she became aware of fred as we used to see him when traveling across the town to visit her grandfather.she also was sorry to hear of his death.
I left the Midlands years ago, thank god there are still some good people around the Midlands.
a wolverhampton folk law will desperatley missed, it such a shame that within 24 hours of him passing over the council desecrated his memory by pulling his tent down and wiping him of there map.
I was so touched to read that the council had taken Fred a meal every single week day for the last 30 years.
What a lovely testament to the Black Country’s renowned warm-hearted people.
Good on you.
Hi,it’s good to see this man was well cared for even tho he did live on the ring road..
I remember when i was about 8/9. i used to see him by the skip ,just outside the doors to the indoor market.I, for some unknown reason used to be afraid of him,i think it was the hair and the padded clothes he used to wear,he looked like a giant compared to me!!Id seen him over the years and thought to myself(its really sad him livin in a tent)(in a caring way)
When i was 19,i left wolves,and one of the last things i remember was going to the market,seeing him at the same place (by the doors to the indoor market the back entrance)first time i had looked at him without bieng afraid,and he looked at me and nodded is head, as if to say hello dont be afraid!!!!
Now i am 32, its a strange world!!!!!!!!!! R.I.P FRED XXX
merry christmas fred x
Sums up Wolverhampton - most celebrated resident is a tramp.
kegworth baggie, you really are a saddo with your crass comment, I lived in boggy town for a number of years and to say it was a SCUM HOLE is putting it mildly!! At leasr we Wolverhampton people LOOK AFTER OUR OWN, unlike you lot, if you are trying to have a dig at wolves supporters then may I politely suggest you do it somewhere else and not on this poor man,s obituary pages. I truly find your comment CRASS AND DEROGATORY, I would like to say something a lot more stronger than I have but I will not because it would be derogatory to Fred,s memory.
R.I.P FRED… May You Rest In Peace….
awww no wolves have lost there manager lol
i am a baggie fan and cant believe my fellow supporters have gone as low as to make the death of a man who was well known in the black country into a football thing so on there behalfs i do apologise rip fred