Mr George Hawkins.
WELL-KNOWN taxi driver George Hawkins has died, aged 60.
Mr Hawkins ran the company Lil’s Taxis with his brother-in-law, John Reddin, and his wife, Angie. It was founded by his mother-in-law, Lil Reddin.
He moved to the Island in the 1970s, planning on working as a taxi driver temporarily.
Originally from Southam, Warwick-shire, Mr Hawkins was a keen sportsman, playing football for Bishop’s Tachbrook and cricket for Southam. He also played basketball and was a fan of display team the Harlem Globetrotters.
Mr Hawkins, of Millward Road, Ryde, supported Warwickshire Cricket Club and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He met his wife, Angie, while working for her mother’s firm, and they married in 1983. She had two children, Darren and Louise, and Mr and Mrs Hawkins went on to have a son, Karl. Mr Hawkins has two grandchildren, Freeman, six, and George, two.
Following his death, Fr Luke Bell, of Quarr Abbey, said Mr Hawkins used to take a monk priest from Quarr Abbey to St Celia’s Abbey and back each morning to say mass for the nuns.
"He also did a lot for Ryde School, in particular taking pupils to and from the boarding house at Bembridge. He was a very considerate and helpful taxi driver."
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