Former Avon Rubber worker Dennis Jones died, age 78, on June 6 at Dorothy House. He had been suffering from lung cancer.

Mr Jones was born on March 25, 1937 at the family home in Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon, the third of four children.

He met his future wife Margaret at the swimming pool, which was on the land now occupied by the town’s library, when dances were held there.

The couple married on February 11, 1961 and were together for more than 50 years before Mrs Jones’ death in 2011.

After finishing school Mr Jones spent more than 40 years at the Avon Rubber Works, first in Bradford on Avon and then in Melksham.

When he retired he decided to become a pallbearer and assisted at funerals across the county.

Granddaughter Kate said: “He was just somebody who really enjoyed life. He loved his family and had a great social life with his many friends. He could never sit still which is why he took up pallbearing as it was something he had always been interested in.”

Mr Jones had many hobbies and was widely regarded as Bradford Town Football Club’s biggest fan, having attended home and away games for most of his life.

He also loved gardening and growing tomatoes in his conservatory. He was also a member of Spencer Moulton Bowls Club and had played cribbage at the social club with three friends for more than 40 years.

He leaves his two children Nick and Mandy, three grandchildren Kate, Ashley and Mark, and four great-grandchildren Elle, Chloe, Rory-Jack and Evie-Grace.