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Published 8 Mar 2013 09:30 4 Comments

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"He was simply awesome," was the simple sentence used to describe a larger-than-life Bracknell minibus driver who has died after a short fight with cancer.

Stuart Duguid, 43, from Harmans Water, died at Frimley Park Hospital on Tuesday last week.

The popular part-time driver was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma six months ago, which was resistant to chemotherapy.

His sister Siobhan said many of Stuart's friends were unaware that he was ill. Stuart died moments after his dad Gordon rushed to his bedside.

Siobhan said: "We told him dad was here and he smiled and then he went."

Stuart, who was unmarried, was left with physical impairments down his right hand side after he fell off his bike at the age of five and fractured his skull. But he never allowed his accident to limit his ambitions and actively pursued sports.

Gordon said: "He was very sporty, even with his disabilities, he was very good. He played cricket for the South East and even played for England against Wales. He did air rifle shooting. He was well known around the disabled sports circuit.

"He never let anything hold him back, he just got on with it. He never complained."

A trained first aider and volunteer for Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue (SEBEV), Stuart loved driving, and ferried disabled children to school via minibus in his job with Berkshire Education Travel.

Gordon said: "He loved driving and he got paid for doing something he loved. I wondered how he managed to fit it all in."

Siobhan added: "He was always smiling, always had a joke to tell. He would always turn any bad circumstances to humour. He would never complain. He got on with his life.

"He was my hero. I remember making him so proud when I gave birth to my daughter, Tonia.

"I never knew a bond like it. In her words, 'he was simply awesome'. It's not just our hearts that have voids in them, it's the hearts of so many people. Everyone loved him."

Stuart's funeral is at Easthampsted Park Crematorium, Bracknell, on March 25, at 10.30am. The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go to Macmillan Cancer Support or ward G1 at Frimley Park Hospital.

Pay your tributes to Stuart in the comments box below:

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 08 Mar 13

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Minuteman
1 post
Mar 8, 14:22
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I was so sad to hear of Stuart's passing I was the Divisional Superintendent of St John Ambulance in Bracknell when Stuart was a member. He was a very useful member of the division, always cheerful and was an excellent first aider. In spite of his disability he raised money by swimming an incredible number of lengths to buy a new skeleton for the division. He will be sadly missed

Graham Forster

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hazelann70
58 posts
Mar 8, 19:38
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Stewart was my son's taxi driver and it was devastating to hear the news. My son loved Stewart to bits as he was such a friendly chap. When Oil heard the news, he cried his eyes out and still gets upset when talking about him. Such a tragic loss for his family and all the special needs kids who's lives he obviously touched. He will be missed and greatly.

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Monster03
2 posts
Mar 9, 13:14
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Stuart was also my son Luke's taxi driver. He made such a difference in Luke's life as he made going to & from school a fun time. He always greeted us with a smile and treated all of the children on the minibus who have various special needs with the highest respect.

He turned the bus into a mobile disco for the kids on there with the fun music that was played in there, so our son gave him the nickname "Disco Stu".

He will be missed greatly by all of our family as his personality was larger than life and he was a great friend too.

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daveynewms
1 post
Mar 14, 21:23
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Our parents were good friends when Stuart and I were young. I was a year older than Stuart and actually remember being told by my parents when he had his accident at five years old. I remember thinking how unfair something like that is. We then grew up bumping into each other throughout our childhood.

When we did meet Stuart always had a smile and just seemed to get on with living life regardless of his physical problems. He should serve as an inspiration to us all.

About a year ago we had a chat on facebook. Stuart was getting ready to visit his parents and seemed very happy. I am really glad to have had the chance to reconnect.

I was saddened to hear of Stuart's passing. Unfortunately sometimes life just isn't fair.

Thinking of Stuart and his family

Dave Newman.

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