Carl Payne, a famous San Francisco cable car gripman and police officer, passed away in early August at his home in Outer Sunset.
After a long battle with cancer, the beloved San Franciscan died on Aug. 7. He was 81.
Payne worked on the cable cars for 29 years from the 60s to early 90s, pulling the mechanical grip that latches onto the cable and keeps the car running.
He was cherished by all his riders for his bell ringing skills, even winning the city’s annual bell ringing competition held at Union Square a record 10 times, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
In 1991, at 50 years old, Payne left his cable car career to join the San Francisco Police Department where he served for 23 years.
Friends, family members, coworkers and San Francisco locals honored Payne in an online obituary.
"Your class, kindness and generosity towards others will never be forgotten," one memory said. "There will never be someone like you."
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