THE FORMER owner of a painting and decorating firm who became the president of the industry’s federation has died, aged 86.

Harry Gordon Hare, known as Gordon, was born in York on October 12, 1930.

A schoolboy champion swimmer, he attended Heworth Primary School and Tang Hall Senior School.

His father, Harry Norman “Nick” Hare, founded the decorating firm H.N.Hare & Son, in Stockton on the Forest, in 1948.

Gordon Hare took over the running of the firm after completing his National Service in 1954 and oversaw its move to a limited company.

He was still jointly managing the firm in his early 80s with Geoff Butcher, who took over the running of the company when he retired.

Mr Hare married Mary Elizabeth “Bette” Wilson shortly after being called up for National Service, which he served with the Coldstream Guards (2nd Battalion) and was promoted to Lance Sergeant.

Bette, a nurse who later became a nursing sister, worked in several York hospitals, and later supported her husband as an unpaid secretary for the firm throughout their married life.

They had two children together, David and Anne, and were grandparents to Eleanor, Lauren and Natasha. Bette passed way in August 1998.

Mr Hare joined the National Federation of Master Painters and Decorators - later known as the British Decorators Association - in 1963 when the York branch was founded by his father and several other York craftsmen.

Mr Hare rose to the top of the organisation and was elected vice president of the north eastern region in 1973 and president 12 months later.

He was elected to the National Executive, served as regional treasurer from 1980 to 2003, and retired from the role of York Branch treasurer after more than 40 years’ service.

Mr Hare died on June 22. His funeral is from 11am on Friday, July 7, at St George’s church, in Peel Street, York.