Tributes have been paid this week to Ken Marshall, former managing director of Cochranes Shipbuilders, who has lost a short battle with cancer.

Mr Marshall who was born in Cawood before later moving to Wistow attended the local primary school and later studied at Archbishop Holgate's Grammar School in York.

On leaving school he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father working at Cochranes, becoming an apprentice draughtsman in the firm's drawing office and later design office.

While in his apprenticeship Mr Marshall studied naval architecture at Hull College of Technology where he was awarded the Richard Dunstan Design Award and the Billmeir Shipwrights Award.

Mr Marshall worked through the ranks at Cochranes, being promoted to production manager, production director and managing director in 1987, managing both the Selby and Goole yards.

Due to the decline in the UK shipbuilding in 1993 the yard closed and Mr Marshall's son James said: "It was a significant blow to my father, his colleagues and the Selby community."

Following the closure of Cochranes Mr Marshall managed shipping operations in Hull, Swansea, Gravesend and Felixtowe and was a member of numerous maritime institutions.

He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and became a member of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights 2006.

Besides his interest in shipbuilding Mr Marshall also designed and built two family homes, the first in Carlton following his marriage to his wife Kathleen and the second in Wistow in 2007 on his retirement.

James said: "My father was a true inspiration and role model for my sister Helen and me and will be sadly missed by all the family."

Former work colleague and Mr Marshall's best man at his wedding, Fred McGuire said: "Ken was a very good man and very well respected in the shipbuilding industry."

A former member of the yard's workforce said "Ken was a true gentleman and very fair in his dealings with the workers in the yard."

Mr Marshall leaves his wife Kathleen, children James and Helen, and four grandchildren.

His funeral is at Wistow Parish Church on Monday at 11am.