A packed St Paul’s church in Knightsbridge, London, yesterday celebrated the life of Jimmy Thomas, owner of the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square.
Jimmy passed on July 30, aged 88, and his funeral was held privately, but the memorial service yesterday was very much a public affair with many familiar faces from the UK and international gaming industry present and live streaming to many more outside of the city and the country.
The several hundred guests were greeted by the church choir and at several stages in the service heard choral music from the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. There was a moving tribute to Jimmy’s life from his cousin Michael Thomas and a tribute from his son and business partner Simon.
Daughters Carla Chappell and Lisa Jessel gave readings and there was also a reading from close friend Vicky Davis. The service was followed by a reception at the neighbouring Berkeley Hotel.
