A POPULAR former York chip shop owner has died aged 68 after suffering a series of strokes.

Bert Chapman ran Lowther Street fish and shop for 22 years with his wife, Beryl, before retiring in the late 1980s.

Beryl, who now lives in Rainsborough Way, Clifton, said her husband had been cared for in St Olave's Nursing Home since April after suffering six strokes.

"I'm pleased his pain has come to an end," she said.

"It was awful to see him suffering - he couldn't even walk at the end.

"The nurses were brilliant and made him feel really comfortable."

Beryl married Bert 38 years ago after meeting him in Clifton.

"He was the life and soul of the party," she said.

"He loved a good drink of bitter.

"Everyone knew when he had entered the pub because he would break into song.

"We must have served fish and chips to thousands of people in York. The customers loved Bert."

Bert, who enjoyed a last holiday in Majorca last year with Beryl and two friends, worked as a plumber in York before taking over the chip shop in 1968.

Family friend Eric Atkinson went to plumbing college with Mr Chapman.

He said: "Bert was a well-known character in The Groves.

"He always had time to talk to you at the chippie. He will be sorely missed."

Bert's funeral will take place tomorrow at St James's Church, Clifton, at 10.45am.

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, October 17, 2001