ONE of the biggest funerals in Launceston for some time will see traffic brought to a halt today to allow the cortege to pass by.
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More than 2500 people are expected to attend the funeral of Launceston man Wayne "Waff" Badcock, 56, at the Albert Hall this afternoon.
The former electrician, YMCA president and president and long-time member of the Satan's Riders Motorcycle Club died on November 24 after a two-year battle with cancer.
His friend of 37 years and fellow bike rider Simon Hrycyszyn said yesterday that traffic would be interrupted from about 2pm in Cimitiere, Tamar and Lawrence Streets as the funeral procession left the Albert Hall for the Carr Villa crematorium.
Mr Hrycyszyn expects the cortege and its motorbike guard of honour to take about 45 minutes to make its way from the city centre to Carr Villa at Kings Meadows.
The huge procession will ride from the Albert Hall along Cimitiere Street, past the Launceston police headquarters, into Wellington Street and then on to Kings Meadows.
The bikes for the procession will be parked in Cimitiere Street for the duration of the funeral, which starts at 1pm.
Mr Hrycyszyn said that he was not surprised at the size of the funeral.
Nearly 100 notices filled the personal announcements columns of The Examiner every day this week.
"He was known to most people in Launceston and respected by all," Mr Hrycyszyn said.
"Wayne was a leader of men, a mentor, one who could sort out differences and did between all sorts of people."
His love of Harley- Davidson motorbikes meant that a big part of his life was spent with his mates and lifelong friends at the Satan's Riders Motorcycle Club, Mr Hrycyszyn said.
"He was an influential leader and president for 25 years.
"Wayne was also a very family-orientated man whose love for his family showed in every way."
Mr Hrycyszyn said that his friend had fought hard to survive his illness but in the end had thought of his friends and family.
Mr Badcock planned most of his funeral and specially wanted it to be on a Saturday so people didn't have to take a day off work, he said.
Mr Badcock had grown up and lived in Launceston all his life. "His father was a bus inspector," Mr Hrycyszyn said.
He died at home surrounded by his family.
Mr Badcock is survived by his wife, Erica, and children Tenille, Lindsay, Alex and Clint.
