The funeral of a much-loved Colne businessman is to take place today.
Leslie Berry, director of one of the town’s oldest family-run firms, R.H. Berry & Son, died suddenly on June 28th.
Friends and family will gather at Skipton Crematorium to remember the 91-year-old, of Claremont Street, who had remained “very active” and “a real gentleman”.
Mr Berry, who fought in the Second World War, took over the furniture store in 1941, having been introduced to the business at an early age.
He began his venture in Dockray Street, before the firm moved to Windy Bank in 1976, where it is still being run by Mr Berry’s daughter and son-in-law. He is survived by daughters Sheila Naughton, Jean Margison and Christine Greig, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
His family said: “Leslie was a keen gardener who loved growing his own flowers and would never buy ready grown.
“He was a keen golfer who would go to the Ghyll Golf Club, chat to friends and put the world to rights. He played golf two days before he died.
“He was fiercely independent and had a sharp mind. He missed his late wife Cynthia, but had joy from his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will all sadly miss him.”