HUNDREDS of people joined the family of John Michael O'Toole in Corsham last week to pay tribute to the prominent businessman.

Family and friends followed the 72-year-olds' coffin from his home in Park Lane to St Patrick's Church before saying their final farewells on Thursday (June 22.)

Mr O'Toole, who was born and bred in the town to two Irish parents, sadly passed away in the RUH Bath on May 31 following his heart surgery but will be remembered by those who knew him as a warm and kind soul.

The turn out was unbelievable," his daughter Marie Giles said: "I think the Bewley and Merrett said there were near to 450 people there and we have never seen anything like it. He was well known in Corsham and he ran a groundwork civil engineering business called JM O'Toole, which a lot of people will know him from.

"Everyone that did know him will say what a kind and generous man he was and he was the type of person who would help anyone who was down on their luck. He was so happy, always smiling and so friendly.

"I was blessed to have him as a father and he was the best father anyone could ask for - he even brought up my three half brothers Stephen, Marty and Richard as his own."

As a tribute to his Irish upbringing, the family organised a traditional wake at the cricket club with an Irish band. "The weather was wonderful so lots of people spent time talking to each other about Dad so it was a great tribute to him. I think he would have liked it."

He leaves behind his wife Daphne, his daughter, three step sons, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.