TRIBUTES have been paid to businessman and true gentleman Vince Gaiger who died suddenly at home on Saturday morning aged 66.

Mr Gaiger, son of Joe Gaiger, who was one of four brothers who started Gaiger Bros in Devizes in 1948, leaves a widow Pam, daughters Hannah, Kerry and Amy and nine grandchildren.

He grew up in Potterne and was a pupil first at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School and then the old Devizes Grammar.

He loved sport and became a member of Devizes Rugby Club as a young man and went on to play as winger for Bath. After his playing career finished he was a coach at Devizes and later became a committee member and was made a life member.

He was also a keen member of Potterne Cricket Club where he played as an all-rounder, became chairman and supported the club’s expansion in recent years.

He was a member of Erlestoke Golf Club and Bath Rugby Club Old Boys golf society which allowed him to keep in touch with his old pals from Bath while enjoying playing a wide range of courses.

After school Mr Gaiger studied construction at college before joining the family firm in 1971. He became involved in the firm’s dealings with another old family firm, Wadworth, and oversaw many of the brewery’s projects including the building of the visitor centre.

He met his wife-to-be Pam while at school and they married in 1974. They lived first in Devizes and then moved to Little Cheverell. Each of their three daughters has three children who range in age from two to ten.

His nephew Graham Gaiger said: “My uncle was a real family man. He was passionate about the business but his family came first. He liked nothing better than when he and Pam had a house full of all of his daughters, their husbands and the nine grandchildren.

“He loved children and always kept a big tin of sweets on his desk. Whenever any children came in, not just those related to him, they would all come running upstairs for a sweet.”

Fred Kerley, chairman of Potterne Cricket Club, said: “I had known Vince since I was a young lad at the cricket club. He was one of life’s true gents but he put me straight a couple of times when I was a youngster.”

Fellow Devizes Rugby Club stalwart Rick Kibby said: “You will never meet a nicer man than Vince. I have never known anyone to have a bad word to say about him. He had a wonderful sense of humour and he is one of the best rugby players Devizes has ever produced.”