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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Victoria Scheer

Hundreds line Leeds streets for emotional goodbye to 'true legend' John 'Kooler Bar' Collier

It was an emotional day for hundreds of people who lined the streets of Leeds to say goodbye to popular ice cream man and "true legend" John 'Kooler Bar' Collier.

Mr Collier sadly died earlier this month aged 76 and had been an ice cream man in Chapeltown, Harehills and Roundhay for more than 40 years.

He had become a staple of the local community and a person much-loved by many.

READ MORE: Watch Chapeltown's touching tribute to John 'Kooler Bar' Collier as ice cream van jingle played one last time

A convoy of ice cream vans was part of the funeral cortege today which travelled down Chapeltown Road, part of Mr Collier's old ice cream route.

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People were clapping and cheering, waving flags and chanting his name as the procession passed.

Emma Wilkinson who shared her video of the cortege with LeedsLive said she had many happy childhood memories of Mr Collier.

"John Collier aka Kooler Bar, what an amazing person he was," she said.

"You could go to him and have only 10p in your pocket and you would walk away with the biggest ice cream with all the trimmings and the biggest smile on your face.

"Everyone in Chapeltown has probably come across Kooler and will all have their own special memories of him."

She added: "Just shows how loved and respected he was by the community.

"Always went above and beyond, true legend of the community and will be missed by many."

Mr Collier was nicknamed Kooler Bar and incredibly popular in Leeds (Jacqueline Tracey Allen)

Jacqueline Tracey Allen said: "He was a loving dad to Ferrari, Mercedes, Jon Paul and Louisa and he was loved by all his customers who showed up today."

Sade and her family said: "We send our love to all his family, it was a great turnout for such a great guy and he'll be truly missed."

Many of Mr Collier's friends and customers paid tribute to the “one of a kind guy” earlier this month.

Close friend Gary Hendrickson said: “John was always smiling- he had a big round face and a big round smile.

“No matter what happened, or what was going on in his life - he had the biggest smile and biggest heart.”

He added: “He must’ve given away 10 times more than he ever earned - any kid that came to his van he’d always make sure they had an ice-cream or a packet of crisps.”

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