Saying goodbye to Bristol civil rights legend Roy Hackett

The funeral of Roy Hackett has been told he was “a peace maker, a freedom fighter” and “a pioneer, a trailblazer”.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets to pay their respects as Roy’s funeral cortege weaved its way from the 93-year-old’s home in St Werburgh’s to Elim Church in Kingsdown.

Along the way, the procession, which included a bus, made a poignant detour to Bristol Bus Station – the site where Roy took a stand almost 60 years ago.

The cortege was greeted by music and Jamaican flags when it reached the church, aptly located on Jamaica Street for the man born in 1928 in the parish of St Mary in Jamaica.

Inside, an audience including mayor Marvin Rees, Bristol West MP Thangham Debbonaire and poet Lawrence Hoo attended a remembrance service for the civil rights legend to honour his life.

The funeral procession of civil rights campaigner Roy Hackett has just begun, starting from his home on James St, St Werburgh’s. RIP pic.twitter.com/Lpkhz6lgnL

— Betty Woolerton (@bettywoolerton) September 16, 2022

Roy was part of the Windrush Generation, one of thousands who arrived in Britain in the 1950s in search of a better life. The community activist was one of the lead organisers of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott which helped usher in the Race Relations Act.

In his eulogy, a speaker said: “Roy Hackett, a beacon in his family’s eyes, a role model to his children and stepchildren and grandchildren and step grandchildren.

“A man of principle and pride, a pioneer, a trailblazer, a strategist, a smart dresser, with his cool hat and waistcoat, a calm and dignified presence, a peace maker, a freedom fighter, a man with a unique social and moral compass, a dignified and elegant gentleman.

“He is survived by his three children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

“Roy never stopped working for justice and equity for all and if we have learnt anything from him – we will not stop either.”

Roy’s funeral procession passed through Stokes Croft in its way to Bristol Bus Station

Roy’s granddaughter, Kerry, told mourners: “Grandad, from the age of six, you have been my absolute hero. Since your passing, I’ve tried to find a word to describe you.

“I found one – majestic, in everything that you did. I found a phrase for you too that I thought fitted out perfectly: epitome of black excellence – because that’s who you are.”

Paying tribute, Rees said: “What do we want to say about our lives? Surely we want to be able to say: it mattered.

“What we did with the finite amount of time that we had on this planet while it hosted us that we did something that mattered.

“It’s not just about building our own kingdom; it’s about making life better for people around us and what we can say without reservation is that Roy did that.

“Roy did good for himself and his family but importantly, which is why so many people are here, for all of us.”

Roy’s burial was held at South Bristol Cemetery and the reception at Gloucestershire County Cricket club.

All photos: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• Bristol civil rights hero Roy Hackett dies
• Wall that featured mural of Roy Hackett undergoing repairs
• Telling the story of the Bristol Bus Boycott

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