Wesley Bowden, proprietor of Bowdens Home Hardware in Helston, Cornwall, passed away suddenly on Wednesday October 22 from a suspected heart attack.
Mr Bowden, who had owned and run the shop for 44 years after taking over the family business, was 67.

Paying tribute to Mr Bowden, Home Hardware Southwest chief executive Martin Elliott told diyweek.net: "Wesley was a remarkable character, a champion of local independent businesses and an excellent supporter of Home Hardware. He always had great enthusiasm and tremendous vision of the way ahead.

"Wesley was also a member of Helston-Lizard Rotary Club, who founded the Shelter Box Charity in 2000, which over the years has provided considerable aid to many national disasters.

"Wesley will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends."

Home Hardware sent its condolences to Mr Bowden's wife Lynn and to his two sisters, Carol and Lorna.

Helston's mayor Mike Thomas told local website westbriton.co.uk: "Mr Bowden was incredibly popular in town. When I heard the news I was absolutely shocked.

"It is a great loss to the town. He was a very colourful character and people loved him for his ways. He was very generous with people and with his staff, particularly where people had children who went away to university and he would find work for them when they came back for the holidays. He will be missed."

Meanwhile, superintendent minister for the Lizard and Mounts Bay Methodist circuit Danny Reed said that Mr Bowden was committed to the church and "devoted to the town...devoted to hardware and a master ironmonger".

Mr Bowden's funeral will be held on Friday, November 7 2014 at 1pm at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Camborne, followed by a memorial service at 2.30pm at Helston Methodist Church. Family flowers only by request, and guests are asked to wear clothes they feel comfortable in, rather than the traditional black.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Children's Hospice South West or Helston Methodist Chapel may send it c/o Pendle Funeral Services, The Firs Funeral Home, St Johns, Helston TR13 8HN. Tel: 01326 573080 www.pendlefunerals.org.uk