TRIBUTES have been paid to a sports-loving York man who passed away last month.

Jim Keller died peacefully on January 31 after a long spell in hospital, and his son Graham has spoken about the life of his father, who was well-known in the city’s sporting circles.

Mr Keller was born in Skeldergate on March 22, 1932 and moved to the family home in Almery Terrace, Bootham, at an early age.

His mother died when he was four years old and his brother John was just a baby. The family helped raise the boys until his father re-married, and had three more sons, Keith, David and the late Brian.

Mr Keller met his wife Brenda in 1951 while working as a mechanic at Myers and Burnell in York, and they married on October 1, 1955 at Clifton Parish Church. Together they had two children, Sandra and Graham.

Mr Keller served in the Armed Forces before rejoining Myers and Burnell, then became a car salesman at Armstrong Massey.

In the early 1980s he opened his own business, Jim Keller Cars, of which he was very proud, his son said.

Outside work, Mr Keller’s main passion was sport and he was a keen footballer, playing for Cliftonville and Yorkshire Herald.

“He was very proud of the fact he was never booked in his life,” said Graham.

Mr Keller, who passed on his love of football to his son and grandsons also managed the Mitre Sunday morning team and was a big supporter of the Wanderers and Rawcliffe JFC.

He was a title-winning bowler and honorary member of Bert Keech bowling club, playing at both York and New Earswick indoor clubs.

Reflecting on his father, Graham said: “He would always greet people with a friendly word and a smile. I think that sums my dad up because that’s what he was to people. He didn’t have an enemy anywhere.”

Mr Keller leaves behind his two children, three grandsons – Thomas, David and James – and four great-grandchildren – Lacey, Poppy, Rosie and Rory.

His son and family have given their thanks to the team at Ward 11 of York Hospital, who cared for Mr Keller in his final weeks. His funeral is at York Crematorium on Wednesday, February 18, at 1pm.