Kevin ‘Iceman’ Bailey, a beloved father and free spirit known affectionately as ‘Hippy Kev,’ has been remembered with warm tributes following his passing after a courageous battle with cancer.
Kev led an extraordinary, adventurous life that took him across the globe, with deep connections to places like Somerset where his vibrant presence touched many. His daughter, Esmee Bailey, has honoured his legacy with a unique ‘hippy send-off’ that truly reflected the colourful life he led.
The funeral service took place on Wednesday, May 6 at The Old Chapel in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent—coinciding poignantly with what would have been Kev’s 72nd birthday. Throughout his final moments, Esmee remained by his side, the pair ‘thick as thieves’ until the end.
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Born and raised on Alma Street in Cross Heath, Kev attended Knutton School before embarking on a life full of travel and exploration. At age 24, he moved to Spain, then ventured to America, where he deliberately got himself deported. Later, he settled back in the UK, living in a variety of communities including Glastonbury, Dorset, and ultimately returning to North Staffordshire, residing in Silverdale, Thistleberry, and Bradwell.
Esmee fondly recalls her dad as a true free spirit: “He lived life his own way—wild, unpredictable, and full of soul. Proud of his Romany Gypsy heritage, which came from his great-grandmother, he carried that spirit wherever he went.”
Kev’s charismatic nature was evident even in everyday moments. Esmee recalls: “As a baby, I’d see him on the seafront in Swanage and Bournemouth, sitting, wrapping hair, and chatting away. He connected with people effortlessly.” Remarkably, even two decades later, people in Somerset still stop Esmee to ask after her father, a reflection of the indelible mark he left behind.
Kev met Esmee’s mother, Vicky, in Glastonbury, gifting her a crystal during their first encounter on a High Street bench. Together for eight years, they welcomed Esmee in March 1996.
A wanderer at heart, Kev was drawn to places deemed sacred—Glastonbury Festival, Stonehenge—and to spiritual practices. Esmee shares: “Dad was a hippy, a traveller, a rebel, and at one point served as a Tibetan monk in Glastonbury. His life was steeped in spirituality: crystals, meditation, mantras, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, tai chi, yoga, tarot, and angel cards.”
His connection to nature was profound. “Dad lived simply, close to the earth, nurturing plants with incredible green fingers.”
Returning to North Staffordshire during Esmee’s teenage years, Kev sought to be closer to his daughter. He sold daffodils, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and even Christmas trees at the Ironmarket—a reflection of his down-to-earth, community-minded spirit.
Esmee celebrates his creative talents: “Dad loved painting and creating art, even if his decorating was a bit ‘dodgy’ and his drystone walling a touch rough around the edges. He once renovated a double-decker bus into a home—ripping out the seats and making it his own—until it eventually sank into the mud. Wherever he lived, he added his personal, effortless flair.”
Kev’s final days were spent at Bradwell Hall Nursing Home, where his charm and humour endeared him to the staff. He was known for playful jokes and warm laughs, leaving a lasting impression.
Describing her father’s character, Esmee says: “Dad was bonkers in the best way—imperfect, unpredictable, and full of life. He was kind and courageous, unapologetically himself, with a kind of magic like Peter Pan’s. He could light up a room, make people laugh, and touch hearts.”
In tribute, guests were invited to wear vibrant, colourful attire to the funeral—an emblem of Kev’s uniquely bright and joyful life.