Mark ‘Beasty’ Goddard
By Darren Wright
My great friend, mentor and one of life’s true characters, Mark ‘Beasty’ Goddard, passed away in July 2021, aged 67.
Mark was larger than life. The kind of man who lit up every room he walked into. In his younger days, he could have passed for a Burt Reynolds lookalike – the sort of man others admired and aspired to be. But more than that, he was genuine, generous and unforgettable.
It’s no exaggeration to say that without Mark, there would be no TS Transport. He was my inspiration from the very beginning.
A Chance Encounter
I first met Mark as a young boy growing up in Southam, Warwickshire. I spotted his truck passing through our street and, fascinated, jumped on my bike to chase it down.
That truck – a Volvo F12 – and the man behind it changed everything.
I must have been a nuisance at first, constantly asking to look around the cab, but Mark gave me the time. Before long, I was helping him wash the truck and tagging along on trips. I was hooked – and a lifelong friendship began.
A Life in Trucking
Mark’s career started at just 18, working alongside his stepdad with a Bedford truck, delivering across London and the UK. From there, he built a reputation as a skilled, dedicated and passionate driver.
He went on to work throughout the UK and Europe, transporting everything from car bodies to international freight, eventually becoming an owner-operator and running routes into Belgium, Holland and Germany.
His trucks became as well-known as the man himself – beautifully maintained, customised, and often award-winning. Among them was the iconic Volvo F12 and later the powerful Volvo F16, machines that reflected his pride, professionalism and personality.
“The Beast”
The nickname “Beasty” came naturally.
Standing over six feet tall with a commanding presence, and driving trucks that turned heads wherever they went, Mark earned the title through both his character and his machines. It stuck – and became part of his identity.
More Than a Driver
Mark wasn’t just a trucker – he was a mentor.
When I started out, he taught me the standards required to do the job properly. He didn’t suffer fools, and I took a few deserved tellings-off along the way, but everything he did was to make me better. And it worked.
Years later, life came full circle when Mark came to work with me at TS Transport – a proud moment I’ll never forget.
Life Beyond the Road
Away from trucking, Mark had a passion for motorbikes and adventure. One of his highlights was completing the legendary Route 66 on his Harley Davidson – a trip he loved and often spoke about.
A Final Farewell
In July 2021, Mark suffered a stroke and, despite initial signs of recovery, sadly passed away shortly afterwards.
His loss was devastating to all who knew him – especially his fiancée Tina, his children and grandchildren.
But true to Mark’s spirit, his life wasn’t marked by a sombre farewell. Instead, “Beastyfest” – a celebration of his life – brought together friends, trucks and motorbikes in a fitting tribute.
Convoys rolled, engines roared, and stories were shared. It was exactly what he would have wanted.
A Lasting Legacy
Mark’s influence lives on – in the people he inspired, the standards he set, and in TS Transport itself.
I’ve created a memorial lorry in his honour, so that wherever it travels, others can recognise and remember a great trucker, a great mentor, and a great friend.
He may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.