Tony Llewellyn, of Royal Wootton Bassett, in his own farewell message, wrote: "I have tried to live up to the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, and I hope I succeeded."

The huge number of people, from many parts of the country, at Mr Llewellyn's farewell, at Kingsdown Crematorium, and later at the Rugby Club, reflected that achievement, and revealed widespread appreciation of his commitment to many local causes.

The celebration of his life, led by members of his family, epitomised the enthusiasm, energy and effort that form Mr Llewellyn's inspirational legacy to everyone.

He had devised his own ceremony that began with the Welsh National Anthem and ended with the Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club anthem, We Are the Boys in Black and White. Time for reflection featured Greensleeves, the favourite music that Mr Llewellyn used to hum.

Mr Llewellyn, who was born in 1946, and spent his early years in Worcester, had a career at the Royal Liver, and was the company's youngest manager when appointed to the Swindon office in 1970.

He was married for almost 46 years to Gill, who was also from Worcester.

However, they first met in Switzerland where Tony was with the Scouts and Gill was with her father's Scout troop.

The couple have a daughter Ceri, sons Phillip and Mike and seven grandchildren aged between 13 and nine months, all living locally.

They shared happy annual holidays together. Mr Llewellyn's words, read by Phillip, named very many friends and Lee who lived with the family for a while and was regarded as a son.

In 1972 Tony became leader of the 1st Wootton Bassett Pathfinder Cub Scouts, and was also a football coach and referee. Over the years he played a major role in the Wine & Beer Making Circle, Wootton Bassett & District Rotary Club, the Life Education Centre (a mobile unit of which he was a trustee), Neighbourhood Watch, Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club, the Tuesday Walkers, Longleaze Pre-school (where a new unit was named recently in his honour), Broad Town School (where he undertook many maintenance tasks), badminton and French Boules, as a local team player.

He also played in a rugby tour to Chicago some years ago.

Ceri said: "We would like you to remember Dad as you knew him, and to celebrate with us the many lives he touched."

Mr Llewellyn's farewell message, of which he had hoped to make an audio recording, thanked many people, including English, Scottish and Irish rugby friends "who have been there for me over the last months."

Mr Llewellyn was surrounded by his loving family in his final hours at home, 18 months after the diagnosis of prostate cancer, he will be missed by all who knew him. The farewell, and the celebratory hog roast later at the rugby club, were worthy tributes to a man who contributed so much to local life.

Memorial donations will benefit Prospect Hospice and Cancer Research UK.