Final salute to a true character

RIP . . . flowers to remember the well-known character many knew as Rambo

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RESPECTS were paid to Oldham’s well-known wanderer yesterday as friends, family and locals gathered for his funeral.

Geoffrey Clover (71) — who many knew as Rambo — died at home in Hathershaw on April 1.

Generations of Oldhamers knew Geoffrey for wandering around the town in his trademark green coat.

His funeral was at Roundthorn Salvation Army yesterday, with 60 mourners in attendance.

Just before his coffin was carried into the building, flowers spelling out “Rambo” were taken into the hall. Following the service, Geoffrey went on his final journey to Oldham Crematorium in Hollinwood for committal.

Before the service a group of around 10 mourners walked from his favourite bench on Huddersfield Road — where a plaque will be installed to remember him — to the Salvation Army hall in tribute. Organised by Daryl Isaacs and Chloe Williamson, the group tied string around their waists and carried “bags for life” — just like Geoffrey.

A Facebook page, The Rambo Appreciation Society — flooded with tributes to Geoffrey — helped bring everyone together to pay their respects.

Daryl said: “This has been a great way to remember a great character and has brought the people of Oldham together. We just wanted to pay a fitting tribute to Geoffrey and felt this was the way to do it.”

Geoffrey was adopted at the age of four by Wilf and Annie Clover, members of the Roundthorn congregation. He grew up an active member of the army and was an accomplished pianist and very fine E flat bass player in the senior band.

In his 30s, Geoffrey turned his enthusiasm to gardening and maintained Oldham’s parks and gardens.

Though he enjoyed his home town, he cycled to other towns, even as far as Sheffield and Blackpool. He was married and had a daughter Melanie, now 41.

Towards his late 30s, Geoffrey’s marriage broke down and his father moved in retirement to California.

A tribute, written by Roundthorn Salvation Army and read at Geoffrey’s funeral yesterday, said: “He struggled with the loss of his father’s influence in his life and the breakdown of his marriage, so he took to his love of the outdoors and spent his remaining 30 to 40 years walking the streets of his home town.

“He was a private man and separated himself from society. Keeping in touch with people became hard for him. It is hard to imagine how many miles he walked over the years, and the variety of conversations he had with the people who met him. I wonder what he would say if he could read all the nice words said about him since his death.”