Hundreds of well-wishers descended on Northampton's Market Square this morning to say goodbye to trader and "Northampton legend" Eamonn Fitzpatrick, better known as Fitzy. His hearse visited the stall he had held at Northampton's market for six decades before travelling on to All Saint's Church.
This morning, Wednesday December 7, he visited the market one last time as his hearse stopped outside his famous stall to a crowd of friends and well-wishers, from politicians to the homeless, family from Ireland and fellow traders from as far away as Leicester. Alongside his coffin was a floral display that read "FITZY" while his famous yellow hat and permanent marker were placed on top.
The crowd applauded as Fitzy left the market one last time, travelling down to Abington Street and on to All Saints Church for the first of two services. Waiting for the market trader was a guard of honour, wielding artichokes as he was carried into the church by family, friends and employees. Fitzy's daughter, Kelly, then read a poem which included the lines: "Dad, would you like to go down in history for winning a fantastic victory?"
Mr Adams said Fitzy taught himself and other employees many lessons, the last being "if you truly love something, fight for it." He said Fitzy was "proud to be the market's flagbearer... its champion" and that "Northampton Market has lost it's heart." Despite losing the envelope containing her speech, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Morcea Walker, told a touching story about when she first arrived in Northampton from London.