Skip trip was perfect send-off for Dorset legend John 'Butch' Nash

He was a legend on the rocky isle of Portland, and the late John “Butch” Nash was given a legendary send-off yesterday as his coffin was paraded around the island on one of his own skip lorries.

Mr Nash, founder of Portland Stone Limited, and a former Weymouth and Portland Borough and Portland town councillor, was one of the resort’s most well-known and popular characters, famous for his one-liners, and noted for donating thousands of pounds to local charities.

Around 600 people turned out for his funeral and to see the blue-and-white skip lorry, decorated with floral tributes, make its steady way through the streets, driven by veteran Portland Stone driver Fred Park.

Born in the porch of the family home in a wild white winter 64 years ago, Mr Nash worked hard for his living all his life, after leaving school at the age of 14.

Jobs ranged from teenage fisherman to dockyard contractor and crane driver. He operated the first hydraulic crane at Weymouth Harbour before becoming manager of Portland Plant Hire in 1973, at the age of 26.

In 1982 he was set alight and suffered second degree burns when a drum exploded as he was cutting it up with oxy-acetylene equipment. He made a good recovery and, when Portland Plant Hire branched out into crushing stone, added quarry manager to his responsibilities. He set up Portland Stone Limited in 1997.

Father of Nikki, Natalie and Danny, and a grandfather, he died on December 8 after a spirited three-year battle against lung cancer.

Before the service, his son Danny, 25, said: “My dad was Mr Portland, he was a hard-working man who thrived on helping people, especially if it benefited Portland. We as a family are very proud to have Butch as our father.

"He will be greatly missed by many and hopefully we will give him a very special send-off just as he deserves.

“We’re going to put his coffin in a seven-and-a-half tonne skip lorry and do a lap of Portland with the hazard lights flashing and the black funeral cars behind.

"Dad started the business from nothing and I know this is something he would’ve liked.”

Portland United Football Club has a stand named after Mr Nash, and he was a big supporter of Portland Boxing Club. He was a member of the island’s Court Leet, its ancient governing body.

Mr Nash junior, who has inherited his father’s business, was among those bearing his father’s coffin into All Saints’ Church, Easton. It was carried out by members of the Court Leet, and the “legend” was laid to rest in St George’s cemetery.