Hundreds of cyclists have taken part in a procession for the funeral of a “loving and generous” man who was stabbed to death in an alleged road rage attack. More than 2,000 people are estimated to have lined the streets of Worthing in West Sussex as the procession of at least 200 cyclists accompanied the hearse carrying Don Lock to the town’s crematorium.
The 79-year-old great-grandfather, a keen cyclist, died after the incident, which followed a collision involving his car and another vehicle on the A24 at Findon, near Worthing, on 16 July. The cyclists, led by Lock’s son, Andrew, passed by the scene where floral tributes have been left in his memory.
On arrival at Worthing crematorium, Andrew Lock got changed out of the team strip of Worthing Excelsior cycling club, which both he and his father belonged to, into a suit ready for the service, which was attended by about 800 people.
The cyclists formed lines at the entrance to the chapel and created an arch with their front wheels through which Lock’s wicker coffin, draped in the flag of his favourite football team, Brighton and Hove Albion, was carried. The family and friends wore the colours – dark blue, light blue and white – of both the cycling club and the football club, of which he was a season ticket holder.
The mourners were asked to bring a single blue or white flower to place on the coffin, with donations to be made to the Help for Heroes charity.
Paying tribute to her husband of 55 years, Lock’s widow, Maureen, described him as a loving and generous man who always gave his support to his family and friends and to his cycling team co-members. She said: “Don was a wonderful, kind, loving, generous husband, always supportive, always there for you, always there with a smile to welcome you.
“I will miss him so much. I am so proud he has touched so many hearts. When Don was taken from us, it was the most heartbreaking situation possible. The support we had from all around the UK and beyond has been phenomenal – thank you for your support.”
She said her husband, who had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, had been a keen stamp collector and traveller who had visited many countries around the world, with Scotland remaining a favourite.
Andrew Lock said his father had founded the East Grinstead cycling club before joining the Worthing Excelsior and had gone on to inspire him to take up cycling, adding that he would be missed at the club’s events. He said: “Somehow I think he will still be in the laybys and verges cheering us on. I think it is fair to say if Dad was not a man he would like to be a bird, but as a man he did the next best thing: he rode.”
Andrew Lock finished his tribute by describing his father “cycling through the pearly gates, wearing the yellow jersey. “You have won, Dad,” he said.
Don Lock’s daughter, Sandra, said her father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had beaten it over a four-year period. “Through those four years I knew you were scared and your hugs got longer and tighter as you thought each of them might be the last,” she said. “We thought everything would be all right and it was – until the 16th of July when the bubble burst completely and my world was turned upside down and I won’t be able to feel your hugs again.
“A big piece of my heart went with you that day and my life will never be the same again without you in it … I miss you, Dad, so much, but I know you will be watching over me and keeping me safe.”
His grandchildren said: “Our granddad was a big kid at heart. He was so much fun to be around. We will miss you dearly, Granddad, but will cherish his memory for ever.” The family released balloons in the garden of the crematorium after the service.
A tribute by Worthing Excelsior described Lock as a “legend” and “a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being for whom helping and encouraging the people around him came as second nature”. It added: “Don was a truly talented rider holding many club records and trophies during his outstanding and long racing career. He was still winning events up to 2010.”
Matthew Daley, 34, of Worthing, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place in connection with Lock’s death.
