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Jun
Ex-Harrogate chamber president's funeral details announced
The funeral of Martin Gerrard, former president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, will take place next week.
Mr Gerrard, who was one of the best known business leaders in Harrogate, died this month at the age of 69.
His funeral will take place at noon on Friday, July 5 at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Road in Harrogate.
It will be followed by a wake at the nearby Crown Hotel.
Mr Gerrard worked as a premier relationship manager during a 49-year career with Barclays. He retired in 2022 and then became an associate at Williams Investment Management.
Besides his business career, which also included a spell as a director of Harrogate Business Improvement District, Mr Gerrard supported many charitable causes.
His death prompted tributes from across the business community. Martin Mann, chief executive of the chamber, praised Mr Gerrard's support for business and the arts.
Ben Ogden, of jewellers Ogden of Harrogate, described his death is a "terrible loss for Harrogate", adding:
Martin really was such a wonderful man who seemed to have a remarkable ability to be involved in so many aspects of our community in Harrogate, whether in business, the arts, sports or charities.
I was fortunate to work with Martin on the committee of Nick Brown’s Mayoral Fund in 2017, where he was keenly instrumental within the entire business community thus ensuring we raised a staggering sum for various charities.
He was charming, kind and a true gentleman, and he will be hugely missed by all who knew him.
Adam Green, general manager at Hotel du Vin, said:
Martin was a long standing regular and dear friend to Hotel du Vin, frequenting us for business events and special occasion celebrations with his wife, Brenda. Over the past six years, I had the pleasure of getting to know Martin very well and thoroughly enjoyed his company.
He was a true gentleman, embodying great integrity and a self-driven passion to serve and to improve the community. Martin’s strength of character was matched only by his generosity. It is testament to Martin that so many people and organisations, across various industries, have shared so many kind words about him and his legacy.
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