WORK colleagues paid tribute by clapping as the funeral car, carrying a Bradford man described as a "funny and cheerful joker", passed by Bradford Royal Infirmary this afternoon.

BRI work colleagues lined Duckworth Lane to clap as the funeral procession for Andrew Acosta went by at around 2pm paid tribute to a man who would "do anything for anybody and was more like a family member".

Mr Acosta, 48, who worked at BRI as a domestic supervisor, died of complications with Covid on June 22 in ICU where his wife also worked as an ICU sister.

Mr Acosta was a well-respected and well-loved member of the Bradford Filipino community and BRI, where he worked for almost 20 years.

Manuel Escanilla, a Filipino friend and colleague, said: "He was a friend of mine and was a good man, very down to earth. He was a joker all the time.

"He was easy to work with and didn't stress about anything.

"I worked with him for more than 18 years.

"When he started he was team leader and worked his way up to supervisor.

Mr Escanilla also spoke about his unexpected death due to Covid-19.

"We thought we got past the surge, so everybody's shocked.

"I will miss him terribly and forever. He will be hard to forget."

German Filoteo, a Filipino friend and colleague, said: "He was a very helpful and understanding person.

"He was easy to approach when you'd have a problem.

"I knew him for 13 years and he was a very good friend.

"He was a very nice man and a good supervisor who was very organised."

Another work colleague, Nick Pota, said: "He was a good person and was always hard-working "He was always happy and very helpful. He tried to help us all the time in work."

Karen Snape, head of facilities at BRI, spoke highly of Mr Acosta.

"He was quite a character and was an excellent supervisor.

"He was always willing to do that little bit extra.

"He was loved as a friend at work and in the community.

"He could always be relied upon.

"He was very young and will be sadly missed.

"We asked the funeral home to do a drive by so his friends and colleagues could pay their respects before he was taken to his final resting place.

"We're also supporting his wife who is a valued member of staff here.

"It's been very difficult for everybody. I don't how we'll replace him."

Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mel Pickup, said: “Andrew, who was a cleaning services supervisor, passed away in Bradford Royal Infirmary in late June.

"He had been with our Trust since 2002 and was a much loved and respected member of our BTHFT family.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Andrew’s wife, Sheryll, who works as a sister in ICU, his sons and other family members, as well as his friends and all of his close colleagues who worked alongside him and will miss him.”

Mr Acosta is survived by his wife Sheryll and their twin boys.