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Son 'overwhelmed' by tributes to taxi firm owner

Dan Wareing,North Westand
Simone Riley,BBC Radio Manchester
News imageFamily handout A close-up of Alfanso Vivian Salmon smiling. He has no hair and is wearing a blue polo shirt.Family handout
Alfanso Vivian Salmon died last Thursday at the age of 88, his family said

The son of a man who ran a well-known taxi firm and takeaway, who has died, has described feeling "overwhelmed" by the "beautiful stories" and tributes coming in after his death.

Alfanso Vivian Salmon, known locally as Mr Salmon, died last week at the age of 88 after having built his reputation as boss of the Hulme-based Salmon Cabs during the 1980s and 1990s.

He also ran Sam Sams takeaway, a Caribbean-style fried chicken shop, out of the same building.

His son, Michael, said he was "surprised" so many people knew who his dad was, and that it had been "really greatto hear how far and wide" his impact had been.

But he said his death still felt "surreal" and shocking.

"On the one hand you're realising the impact he has made, and hearing the beautiful stories and memories that people are sharing, but it is mixed with sadness," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

News imageFamily handout The Sam Sams Takeaway building is a red brick house with a large white sign hung above the door. There are white window frames on the building, and a red car is parked out at the front.Family handout
Mr Salmon spent decades running a taxi firm which doubled-up as a takeaway venue

Michael said: "Depending on what your perspective is on death you can never quite be prepared for the shock of hearing that information."

He is one of six children and recalls being "brought up around hard work, discipline and resilience".

"We were taught aboutbuilding things, not just for yourself but for the people around you.

"My dad wanted to build something to share it with his family and community.

"That's one of the things that drove him."

News imageFamily handout Mr Salmon is wearing a black cap and black top. He is working in the kitchen of the takeaway.Family handout
Mr Salmon's drive was to "build something" for his family and community, his son said

Michael said when he was young he had become frustrated with how much his dad had worked.

"There was a period in my life where I was asking why he wasn't coming to my football matches, or why he wasn't at home.

"But when I became a parent I realised how much my mum and dad worked, sometimes 80, 90 hours a week, plus.

"He told me that he sacrificed everything to work hard to give us everything that we wanted and in his mind he was doing the right thing."

Salmon said his dad would be very thankful to see all the tributes being posted to social media.

"He'd be doing that warm smile he did," he said.

"I can't explain it, but my brothers know what I mean.

"When I look at pictures now I can spot that smile a mile away."

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