A very popular man who was known by many around Penrith and the surrounding area through his 26 years as a bin man, has died, aged 60.
David Hogg was born in Kendal on 2nd March, 1960, the son of Andrew and Winifred, and spent his childhood years at Shap Fell and Orton, before moving with his family to Brough as a teenager. He had both a brother, the late William, and a sister, Patricia Bainbridge.
After attending various schools, including Selside, Orton and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, David went straight into the world of work.
His first job was as a waiter, before he then went on to be a cleaner, dry stone waller, a litter picker and then a bin man for 26 years, having started to work for Eden Council in 1994 and latterly for Amey, who now run the contract for the district authority.
He also worked at the Penrith Saturday and Sunday Market, picking litter up and parking cars when the market was booming many years ago, and also had a parking job for Potfest, which he did for 15 years.
David met his wife, Caroline, in Brough, when she was the girl next door, and they got married in 1980 at Appleby registry office.
In August, the couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Their first married home together was in Brough, but for the last 28 years they have lived in Penrith, spending two decades at Townhead, and the last eight years in Castletown.
Son, Terry, was born on 2nd April, 1981, and daughter, Gemma Varty, followed a year later on 25th November, 1982. David and Caroline became grandparents in 2007, with the birth of Amy Varty, while their grandson, Tj, was born in July, 2017.
David had a real passion for motorbikes, and despite not being able to hold a full licence due to his eyesight, he would travel with his best friend Mike Burns on his bike around the country to many places.
He also loved computers and would spend many hours on his laptop listening to music or looking for the latest gadget.
Daughter Gemma said he was a very private person, but would do anything for anybody in a heart beat.
“His family meant everything to him. He loved to wind people up with his practical jokes. He would literally give you his last penny if it meant they wouldn’t go without. He definitely lived his life to the full,” she said.
A bin wagon formed part of the funeral cortege through Penrith en route to Carlisle Crematorium on Thursday.
Walkers Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
