THE streets of Christchurch fell silent as loved ones mourned the loss of the 'cheerful' Moses Fredrick Penfold.

Friends and family gathered outside St George's Church in Christchurch to greet the large procession on June 25. 

The procession left Moses's home address in Rutland Road at 11am. Moses was taken to the church in a 'beautiful' horse-drawn cart, which was followed by four Bentleys, one for each of his four children.

Moses's niece, Rachael Saunders, said: "Last night Uncle Moses was brought home for one last time to his home in Rutland Road, where close family from near and far came to say goodnight to the most loved husband, dad, grandad, and great grandad Moses Penfold."

Rachael said her uncle was known as 'an amazing singer' and loved to sing wherever he went.

She said: "His favourite song was Mona Lisa, that's what he loved to sing whenever there was a party or a wedding, he would be the first one singing."

For the funeral, his sister had a six-foot cushion made of flowers with a musical note and Mona Lisa written on it as a tribute to Moses's love for the Nat King Cole song.

Moses's great-grandmother was Betsy Smith, who frequented Bournemouth Square to sell flowers. She was the first famous Bournemouth flower girls.

In the procession, there were four lorries that carried flowers to the church and then to the burial, which took place at Christchurch burial ground, where his mother, father, and brother were laid to rest.

Moses's sister Ivy said, "It was a lovely send-off for a lovely man."

Moses, one of the last remaining Romany Gypsies from Christchurch, was the second eldest of nine siblings. He and his beloved wife, Eileen, had four children: Tammy, Joe, Kelly, and Dean. Together, they were blessed with 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Rachael added: "I have never known a man love his family so much. He is going to make a void in everyone's lives."

The service, which was described as a 'celebration of life, was conducted by Reverend Richard Partridge.