Final farewell to murdered trucker

Jul 11 2006 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS of mourners packed a city church to say a final farewell to a much-loved Birmingham trucker.

The funeral of Martin McCrory, known as Macca, was an emotional affair for the 500 family and friends who crowded into the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Stechford.

Many long-distance lorry drivers travelled miles to attend the service in honour of the popular 48-year-old father-of-three. The trucker was working in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 6 when he was stabbed and killed in a frenzied attack.

His final journey was in a horse drawn carriage from his home in Richford Grove, Kitts Green, to the church.

Macca's widow Jenny, 48, and his mother Mary led the mourners into the service. His three children Katie, 20,

Joe, 18, in his Irish guards uniform, and Tom,14, were among the pall bearers.

Martin was described as a family man who loved his job but loved coming home to spend quality time with his wife Jenny and children even more.

It was the church where Jenny and Macca had married in 1983. In a tribute, read out to mourners, Jenny described Macca as her best friend as well as her husband.

"We were made for each other," she added. Son Joe said: "He was my best friend and my best mate, always. I am proud to say he was my dad."

The service was followed by a burial at Woodlands Cemetery, Birmingham Road and wake at the Mackadown Sports and Social Club.

A 32-year-old Danish man, who it is believed has a history of mental illness, has been charged with the murder and is awaiting trial in Copenhagen.

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