RESPECTED businessman George ‘Gordon’ Brown from Bradford on Avon died peacefully on Sunday, aged 85.

Mr Brown was a senior partner of wholesale fruit and vegetable merchants George Brown and Sons in the town which became a household name.

Born on February 14, 1931 in his beloved Bradford on Avon, Mr Brown was the only son of George Herbert and Dorothy Miriam Brown and he grew up with his siblings Pamela and Joy.

As a young man he played football for Spencer Moultons and served in the British Army as part of The Queen’s Bays 2nd Dragoon Guards tank regiment.

Always a gentleman even at a young age, he met and fell in love with his wife-to-be Phyllis, after saving her from unwanted attention at a local fairground.

Married for a harmonious 61 years, they forged a very strong and loyal partnership, and had a daughter Georgina in 1974.

Nurturing his daughter’s love of horse riding, Mr Brown frequented the equestrian circuit most weekends, supporting both her and the equestrian community. His love of horses extended to the ownership of a racehorse, Pietà, which he and his wife loved to watch race.

He was incredibly proud of his daughter and son-in-law’s achievements, regularly championing their work and accomplishments in business and underwater photography.

With a generous and charitable heart, Mr Brown compassionately gave throughout his life to a large number of charities and causes and it was after retiring from the family business, that he ran a successful bed and breakfast in Wingfield with his wife Phyllis.

In later years, his garden brought him great pleasure and joy, cultivating a wide variety of trees and shrubs, and encouraging wildlife.

Mr Brown leaves his wife Phyllis, loving daughter Georgina and son-in-law Jason, as well as his extended family and friends.

Mr Brown’s service will be held on October 12 at Homefarm, 78A Farleigh Road, Wingfield at 11.30am. He will be brought through Bradford on Avon in a horse drawn carriage followed by burial at Bradford on Avon Cemetery, Holt Road and a wake to celebrate his life back at his family home.

The family have asked for no flowers but mourners are encouraged to wear one item of orange with any donations to be given to the RUH Forever Friends Appeal.