Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 10 April 2008

For about 40 years Ronald Haughan delivered coal to households in Carlisle and, although by no means a big man, he was a fit one – fit enough to still be carrying 1cwt bags of coal on his back when he was 70.

And even when he retired from the coal business he did not want to stop working and so he became a doorman at the Harraby Catholic Social Club, not far from his home.

He was a popular man there, just as he had been on the coal round when he worked for the Eric Potts company, and he was very widely known in Carlisle.

‘Ronnie the Coalman’ was 79 when he died and he will be remembered as something of a character, with a remarkable memory for dates, names and family histories.

Born in Kingstown Road, Carlisle, he attended the local school and left when in his teens to work on the railway. He completed his National Service in the Royal Navy and then returned to the railway, where he became a fireman and was due to become an engine driver when family illness intervened and he looked for a job that would keep him at home.

He found one, with the Eric Potts coal merchants business at Kingmoor and then London Road and there he stayed, delivering to all parts of Carlisle and making many friends.

He was also well known at clubs in Carlisle and was a member of the Ex-Services Men’s Club.

George Hudson and Sons made the arrangements for his funeral, at Carlisle Crematorium.