Former Trowbridge garage owner Royston George Lester died on October 28.

Mr Lester, 90, who spent the later part of his life living in Exmouth, was born in Trowbridge, the son of Frank and Rosa Lester, with his sister Dora and brother Cecil.

He attended Trowbridge Boys’ High School and at the age of 18 signed up for the RAF.

He served as a ground crewman working with Lancaster bombers and Spitfires in England during the Second World War and served in India .

He married Marion Low, from Bradford on Avon, on August 20, 1947, and was a father to Geoff and Gill and grandfather to Rhiannon, Duncan, Alex and Tess.

He later ran Lester’s Garages Ltd, based in Duke Street, a car repair garage and sales showrooms, set up by his father in the 1920s.

A respected businessman, he enjoyed the daily contact with people involved in his working life.

Mr Lester, who was always known as Mr Roy, served as president of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce and Trowbridge Lions as well as being involved in many of the town’s other organisations.

His hobbies included bird watching and walks, while he continued to take Caribbean holidays into his 70s.

Following his retirement he enjoyed spending as much time with his family as possible.

His family will remember him as a great father, with a fun-loving attitude and good sense of humour, with a special fondness for telling corny jokes.

His funeral took place at the Devon and Exeter Crematorium last Wednesday.