Tributes have been paid to a doting great-grandad who was a popular school's club organiser, taxi driver and street sweeper during his working life.

Barrie Ronald Chant had been living with Alzheimer's for more than two decades when he passed away aged 70.

The dad-of-four lived in the Temple Hill area of Dartford for most of his life.

As a young man he ran sports classes and activities at the local primary school and youth centre before later finding work as a taxi driver for All Night Cars in Hythe Street.

In his later years Barrie was rarely seen without "his broom and his pet parrot", named Corky.

The pair would often be seen cleaning up Temple Hill Square together and his feathered companion proved a hit with parents and school children who would stop for a chat.

Barrie was born in Bearsted, near Maidstone, before moving to north Kent and settling in Elm Road where he lived with his former spouse.

He is survived by his four children, Corinna, 47, Karren, 45, Christopher, 43, and Craig, 32.

Speaking on behalf of the family, oldest daughter Corinna said her dad was very much a "Dartford boy" who "left behind many smiles".

"Most the people here know him and he was quite famous for his broom cleaning up the square," she said.

But the family were not quite aware just how many people shared fond memories of their dad.

After sharing news of his death in December, Corinna says they were "overwhelmed by the response" and were inundated with messages sharing personal anecdotes of Barrie.

Corinna said: "Quite a few parents with autistic children said he would talk to them about his parrot.

"It was like what he did actually affected a lot of people in a good way."

Hundreds of messages were posted on a Temple Hill Facebook group paying tribute to the former cab driver.

One post read: "RIP Barrie you were a very kind generous soul who would help anyone and everyone. Knew by many loved by many."

Another added: "Sleep peacefully Barry. Always enjoyed our little chats with you and your beautiful parrot. Bless you and all your loved ones."

Corinna went on to describe her dad as a doting father figure who loved spending time with his grandchildren but also had a fiercely competitive side when playing games with the family.

In the summer the dad-of-four enjoyed breaks away and purchased his own caravan in Allhallows where he liked to retire to.

Barrie was also not one to hold back on voicing his views on any given subject, adds Corinna.

"He was a very outspoken person, he was quite renowned for that," she said. "If he had an opinion he would voice it."

But the Dartford mum added that this changed in later life when he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

Despite the challenges of his condition the great grandad continued to be a focal point of the local community and would help out around the square.

Barrie was also fondly remembered for his 33 year stint driving cabs for Dartford All Night Cars.

His most famous line being "I'll do the doors" whenever people were entering or exiting his taxi.

"He would not allow anybody to shut his doors," recalls Corinna. "Slam them and he would have a Simpson's meltdown.

But she adds, it was as much him wanting to see his car kept in good nick than necessarily an act of chivalry.

"I had so many people message me to say 'oh what a gentleman' he was, but he never let anyone shut his doors," the mum quipped.

Last month, a selection of friends and former colleagues lined the streets to pay respect to the former taxi driver as his hearse passed by the cab office on its way to Gravesend for the memorial service.

They were even joined by his parrot Corky, now in a loving new home nearby, to bid farewell.

Barrie is survived by his four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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