Vivian Morgan

TRIBUTES have been paid to much loved family man, fundraiser and old school gentleman Vivian Morgan who has died aged 85.

Mr Morgan of Downlands Road, Devizes, was known for his work with Devizes Lions where he was president from 1989/1990. He was a stalwart of the Lions Christmas float where he played the part of Santa.

He joined the organisation in 1978 and was a tireless fundraiser for causes close to home and abroad and also helped with welfare work in the community.

He was an honorary Lion with the Chippenham Club and was a Lions district officer for many years. In 2004 he won the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his work.

He was also a retained firefighter in both Calne and Devizes for 20 years and received the Queen's Medal. A collection at his funeral will be made for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.

Mr Morgan, who was born in 1931, spent his early years living at Ivy House on The Green, Devizes and was a pupil at the original Southbroom School before moving to Calne.

He became an apprentice carpenter at Blackford and Sons in Calne and later worked for Radnedge in Marlborough and Swindon firm Isis as a foreman at the army camp in Devizes.

For more than 20 years before his retirement he worked as a contracts manager for Gaiger Brothers in Devizes.

He met the love of his life Janis when they were both involved in a church youth club pantomime but her family insisted they waited until she was 21 to get married.

The couple, who moved to Downlands Road in 1975 had three children Andy, Ian and Nicola and five grandchildren. Mrs Morgan died 13 years ago when the couple had been married for more than 40 years.

He was a keen gardener and played many sports in his younger years including football, cricket, table tennis and skittles. He was also a fan of Everton. He and his wife both enjoyed travelling to camp sites in the south west and had their own caravan.

His daughter Nicola said: "My dad always had a smile on his face. He was very well mannered, polite and a real gentleman. He was loved by everyone who met him as he was so warm and kind."

His funeral will take place at St Andrew's Church, Devizes at 1pm on January 12. A wake will be held at the Conservative Club.