Fitting final journey for Paignton model shop hero

A model shop hero from Paignton was paid a fitting tribute at his funeral as he was laid to rest in a coffin modelled on the Flying Scotsman train.

Andrew ‘Andy’ Willcox had worked in the famous Paignton Model Shop since its founding and had built up a loyal customer base that ranged from the local area to Scotland and Australia.

Organised by Katie Mills Funeral Service, Andrew’s funeral not only included the Flying Scotsman coffin but also had smoke coming from a ‘chimney’ and the sound of a flying Scotsman departing a train station as he was placed.

“I said to Katie to paint the coffin green and maybe to a vinyl wrap and some flowers to look like smoke, but she said she could do better than that, and she absolutely did!” said Nicola Willcox, Andrew’s daughter.

“I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Andrew Willcox was born in 1949 in Enfield. Working in many different jobs throughout his life, Andrew found his true passions to be trains, modelling and playing the guitar.

Nicola said: “He was a bit of a lone wolf, quite a private man. We used to say he had grumpy old man syndrome but a heart of gold.”

After Andrew retired, he decided to keep his mind busy by working at his brother’s shop, Paignton Model Shop.

Nicola said: “He dedicated himself to that shop in his retirement. They say don’t take your work home with you - he did.

“When he retired he could have sat at home, but he chose my aunt and uncle's shop, there were plenty of cups of tea and models to make. He wasn't getting paid for it, but it was something he was passionate about. He ended up passing his passion on to a lot of people.”

She added: “I went to register Andrew’s death, the registrar had actually met my dad. She'd taken her grandson in to do some research, funnily enough, on the Flying Scotsman and ended up meeting Dad who was a fountain of knowledge.”

Andrew passed away on March 16, 2024, at the age of 76. Coincidentally, Andrew died on the exact same day that the famous Paignton Model Shop closed for good. Nicola was then left with a lifetime of models.

“I ended up spending a lot of time trying to sort his flat out, and found that you could build another house out of the trains that he's got in the house!”

For such a special person, Nicola knew that the funeral had to be equally as special.

“Before he died, he’d said he didn't want any fuss. I said to him ‘I don’t care, we’re making a fuss.’

“I had already been recommended to Katie Mills by another family member, so I sat down with her to discuss what we could do. She told me to leave it with her, and this is what we got.”

Katie Mills worked to construct a one-of-a-kind coffin for Andrew, made as a replica of the Flying Scotsman, Andrew’s favourite train.

Nicola added: “I think I spent about three days in absolute tears, I was really excited. How many people can say they're excited over a coffin?

“I think my dad would have been absolutely blown away, he'd have been very proud.”

Katie Mills said: “Andy loved guitars, steam engines and making models, so there really was only one thing we could do when Nicola wanted a bespoke and unique coffin.

“This shows just what is possible when a family wants to celebrate their loved one in a unique and personalised way. Our thanks go to the long-suffering Ian at FE Harris for the initial black and green spray, but most of all to Nicola for trusting in us."

Andrew ‘Andy’ Willcox will be remembered by his family, friends, colleagues and customers as a caring man with a heart of gold, a much loved brother, a father and friend to many.