Round of applause for Waterlooville's much-missed Tony

The coffin of Waterlooville businessman Tony Edwards is carried into The Oaks Crematorium

Picture: Sarah Standing (160203-1900) — The coffin of Waterlooville businessman Tony Edwards is carried into The Oaks Crematorium Picture: Sarah Standing (160203-1900)

A MINUTE'S applause and the Dambusters March helped friends and family bid a fond farewell to a much-loved businessman.

More than 200 people packed into The Oaks crematorium in Havant to say goodbye to Tony Edwards, who died aged 90 on January 5.

Mr Edwards, from Denmead, was a well-known figure across Waterlooville whose family construction firm J Edwards built many hundreds of houses in the area.

In a eulogy, friend Dr Tim Goulder yesterday recalled how he was absolutely passionate about sport and was ‘energetic, gregarious and good humoured’.

He added: ‘Tony was also cheerful, honest and open with everyone he met, while maintaining a shrewd sparkle in his eyes.’

Mourners were asked to applaud Mr Edwards for a full minute until a football whistle blew.