Taxi drivers waved a final farewell to a “happy-go-lucky” cabbie after he died from a sudden heart attack.

Barry Bushell, of Snelling Avenue, Northfleet, died just hours after he phoned for an ambulance complaining of severe chest pains when he returned home from his shift – he was 65.

The grandfather-of-five was a popular figure in his Hackney Carriage, having worked on the ranks for more than 30 years since he began a firm in the 1980s.

Barry is survived by his widow Ellen, children Carolyn and Richard, his adopted daughter Naomi and five grandsons: Ryan, 18, Callum, 14, Oliver, 13, Alfie, eight and Jackson, four. He was also a grandfather to Naomi’s five-month daughter Gracie.

Naomi said: “He was the world’s greatest dad and he is going to be missed. My daughter only met him once, but I’ll tell her what a great man he was.”

His family described him as a “happy-go-lucky” character who enjoyed making people laugh whether it was winding them up or sharing a joke.

Ellen said: “We had our ups and downs like every normal couple does, but he always remained cheerful.

“He loved spending time with his family and he adored his grandchildren.”

The couple met in Wombwell Park when they were just teenagers and Ellen refused to throw back Barry’s tennis ball after it rolled up to her.

They married in Gravesend in 1968 and worked side by side when Barry began BAB Cars from their home in the 1980s.

Ellen worked the switch from home and often cooked dinner for the drivers who worked for her husband.

Barry also formed Gravesend Station Taxis alongside other self-employed drivers after a stint working as a greengrocer in Lawrance Square, Northfleet.

His daughter Carolyn said: “He always had an opinion but never a bad word for anybody. He would always make people laugh. He had the gift of the gab and he was a happy-go-lucky character.”

His funeral took place yesterday at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham. Friends and colleagues placed black ribbons on their aerials as a sign of respect.