Tributes have been paid to well-known Hampsthaite funeral director, Roger Bowers, who has died.
Born and raised on Hollins Lane in the village, Mr Bowers was the owner of the family-run business W.Bowers Funeral Directors.
He took on the firm, which was founded by his parents William and Josephine in 1945, and grew it to cover two offices in Hampsthwaite and Harrogate and host funerals across the district.
Stephen Hessell, partner of the funeral directors, said Mr Bowers was dedicated to the business even in his later life.
He said:
“He had not given up on the business right until the very end.
“He was always there for us.”
A popular figure in his home village, Mr Bowers was particularly supportive of Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School, where he organised Christmas carol singing once a year.
He also sponsored bowls tournaments in Dacre and the town crier competition at Knaresborough Feva festival.
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Mr Hessell said giving back to his local community was important to Mr Bowers and was something he continued to do in later life.
He said:
“It meant a lot to him even in those last four years or so.
“One of the things he enjoyed doing was getting a deck chair outside his house and speaking to people who wandered by. He would enjoy that a lot.”
Mr Bowers (left) with Stephen Hessell
Illness and a decline in mobility had prevented Mr Bowers from the day-to-day running of the business since 2018.
He died on December 13, 2022, aged 79.
Mr Hessell said he would remember Mr Bowers as a friend who was always there.
He said:
“I’m going to miss his kindness for sure.
“If you needed to talk to somebody, I would sit with him for an hour. I’m going to miss him terribly.”
A private funeral will be held in accordance with Mr Bowers’ wishes. No details will be published of the service.