Hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday to pay a colourful farewell to Richard James Coffey, a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and son who died suddenly last month at the age of 50. The funeral took place at Our Lady of Margam RC Church in Port Talbot, followed by interment at Morriston Cemetery.
Procession and Ceremony
Mr Coffey's funeral procession featured his Irish flag-coloured coffin transported inside a white jaguar-branded hearse. Hundreds of mourners, mostly dressed in black with a pop of green, followed closely behind. Upon arrival at the church, a grand white carpet with a golden barrier on either side greeted attendees, along with a display of photos in magnificent frames showcasing memories of Mr Coffey and his family over the years.
At Morriston Cemetery, Mr Coffey was led to his final resting place in a white carriage pulled by a team of white horses, each decorated in orange, white, and green feathers representing the Irish flag. A piper led the horses, followed by the hundreds of mourners in attendance.
Tributes from Family
Mr Coffey, affectionately known as "Small King," "Dickybird," and "Phil Mitchell," was a scrap metal dealer who lived at Morriston Crescent in Port Talbot. He died suddenly while visiting his brother-in-law Richard O'Brien's house. The cause of death remains unknown, but his family believes it to have been a heart attack. He leaves behind his wife Ellen, sons Richard and John, and a granddaughter also named Ellen.
Mr O'Brien paid tribute to his brother-in-law, telling WalesOnline: "Me and him were like brothers. We did everything together. Everyone knew him, he was a character. He was a very, very funny man, and could make stones laugh. If you had a bad day and he walked in, you'd be laughing. He was like a comedian. His nickname was Dicky Bird. Everyone knew him as Phil Mitchell and everyone called him Small King. He enjoyed socialising and whenever anyone asked him for a pint, he would be there. He had lots of friends and family. He was originally from Ireland. We own the scrap yard at Briton Ferry in Swansea, O'Briens Metal Ltd in Briton Ferry. Dicky Bird will never be forgotten. He was a comedian, a character, and he just loved life and was full of fun."
Floral Displays and Personal Touches
The flower displays at the funeral included some of Mr Coffey's favourite things: Thatchers Gold cider, Turkish delight, Smirnoff vodka, and Saxa black pepper. The top of his coffin bore the inscription "RIP." The funeral procession also included framed pictures with messages, one reading: "Rest in Peace to my cousin Dickybird."
