A World War Two veteran has been granted his bizarre final wish to be buried in a coffin painted like a packet of Juicy Fruit chewing gum.
To be fair, it’s not that bizarre when you get into his story – it’s quite sweet, actually.
You see, the fantastically named Suttie Economy has become famous in his native Virginia for handing out sticks of the colourful gum to basically anyone he meets.
The 94-year-old has been suffering from health problems over the past few years, and was being looked after at a hospital in Salem before moving to the Virginia Veterans Care Center nearby recently after rallying slightly.
Advert
He served in the US Navy in the Pacific during the Second World War, which is where he developed a love of Juicy Fruit.
Juicy Fruit is made by Wrigley’s, and during the war they took themselves off the civilian market in order to dedicate their entire output to those fighting for their country.
That’s when Suttie Economy became hooked.
Hey, there are worse vices to have, right?
Advert
His brother, John Economy, explained: “It served as a symbol for his mission to talk to people about the World War II memorial and to honour the deceased veterans that died for our freedom,”
More Like ThisMore Like This1 of 6
NewsKopparberg's New Dark Fruits Rum Will Be Available On 1 September
NewsSon Is Selling 28 Years' Worth Of Birthday Whisky From Dad To Buy First House
NewsBotanist Discovers Wreckage Of Cold War Era Aircraft In Death Valley
CommunityMan Nicknamed 'Human Can Opener' For Ripping Up Drinks Cans With His Teeth
NewsGreene King's Selling Giant Pigs In Blankets Wrapped In Yorkshire Pudding
NewsSurvey Reveals That Brits Will Drink 7,789 Pints In Their Lifetime
The upshot of this was that Suttie asked his long-time friend, Sammy Oakey, who owns a funeral directors and crematory, to design a casket for him that looks like a large pack of Juicy Fruit.
Oakey explained: “For decades, Suttie has been known as the guy who takes packs of Juicy Fruit to restaurants, doctors’ offices, funeral homes, firehouses, etcetera, and gives them out to everyone he sees,
“He has probably purchased tens of thousands of packs of the gum over the years.”
Advert
He continued: “Suttie would come in here for visitation or just come in to visit and he would always bring a bunch of packs of Juicy Fruit chewing gum and put it out for the employees to enjoy,
“He didn’t just do that here. He did it at restaurants and doctor’s offices wherever he went.”
Mars Wrigley initially rejected the request to use their trademark, but after a huge community response, they decided to make an exception in Suttie’s case.
Advert
So, when Suttie dies – which his pal hopes ‘will be a long time off’ yet – he’ll have a casket or pall designed to reflect the gum that gave him, and others, so much joy.
Link nguồn : https://www.ladbible.com/news/weird-war-veteran-wins-battle-to-have-juicy-fruit-chewing-gum-coffin-20200910
