Martin O’Brien [Elena Anikst]

HE was the man instantly recognised as having a dog almost always sat around his shoulders, a Kentish Town icon who found companionship in his love of animals.

People would stop for a chat, ask for photos and he even appeared in pop music video.

Yesterday (Wednesday) more than 100 friends and neighbours gathered to say a final farewell to Martin O’Brien, who has died aged 77.

They had got used to his cheery “good morning” greeting in his soft Irish accent. Then there were those who had known him only by the names of his furry companions, Chico and then Bobo..

His funeral service was held at Our Lady, Help Of Christians in Lady Margaret Road.

Mr O’Brien was born in Ireland in 1948. He was orphaned at a young age and was brought up in a  Dublin convent. He loved the nuns who cared for him and he never lost his faith.

Mr O’Brien would be a regular parishioner at St Dominic’s in Gospel Oak, Our Lady of Hal in Camden Town and Our Lady in Lady Margaret Road.

He would also make a pilgrimage with friends to the French spa town of Lourdes. He moved from Ireland to London in the late 1960s and among many jobs, he worked on building sites and in restaurant kitchens.

Mr O’Brien endured a period of homelessness and for some time made a makeshift home on Hampstead Heath.

He would then find shelter in a squat in west Kentish Town, which he made homely.

Martin O’Brien  on Hampstead Heath [Elena Anikst]

Later, he would settle in Bartholomew Road.

Visitors will recall a sitting room was loaded with iconography – pictures of the Virgin Mary, paintings of saints, and statues of Christ were on every shelf and table top Mr O’Brien was more than just an animal lover – he found deep companionship with his dogs, but also befriended stray cats: they would follow him down the street as he set off on his daily walk.

Birds would gather on his window ledge, tame enough to feed from Martin’s hands.

His rabbits would hop through his flat, and could be spotted sitting patiently at his window, waiting for him to return.

Mr O’Brien marched on many climate demonstrations, abhorred all forms of cruelty and saw the earth as a mother that deserved our respect.

He loved Kentish Town and his walks would be a procession of conversations.. He loved bacon and eggs, chipped potatoes, cabbage and gravy.

Mr O’Brien can be seen in the video for Kentish Town Waltz

Breakfasts at Mario’s Cafe were heartily consumed. His striking appearance attracted artists.

Painter Jeff Baynes created his portrait and he was included in Imelda May’s video for her song Kentish Town Waltz, while photographer Elena Anikst met Martin while walking on the Heath.

She said: “I remember it being a particularly gloomy day and I was walking by the ponds when I noticed this nice looking man. I wanted to take a shot but not without his permission. Martin was extremely polite and said it would make a better picture if he could have his dog in it.”

Friend Josephine Siedlecki met Martin in 1996.

“He was a kind and gentle man,” she said. “He loved animals and would rescue any that needed his help. He was like the Pied Piper. They would follow him wherever he went.”