FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to Ron Thompson, who died while on holiday in Austria aged 81.

Mr Thompson, who lived most of his life in Strensall, was described as a man many “were proud to call a friend”.

Born in York, Mr Thompson served as an apprentice carpenter with Robert Dent & Son between 1943 and 1949, and qualified as a building surveyor in 1950.

In 1953, he joined Cussins & Light Limited, his father-in-law’s company, later becoming director of the firm, and president of the York Chamber of Trade & Commerce in 1967.

Mr Thompson also founded the York Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he met Stuart Briggs who remembered Ron fondly.

“I joined in 1968, and was made president in 1972, by which time Ron had left, but he founded the Crackpot Club – which was a monthly dinner meeting of all the ex-presidents, which ran for years,” he said.

“He was quite involved with the community, but a relatively quiet person. He did things in a quiet way, without wishing to hog the limelight.”

Mr Thompson was elected to York City Council and represented Micklegate Ward between 1966 and 1974 and became a member of the Rotary Club at about the same time. “Ron had said he didn’t want to be buried on a Friday, because the rotary club meets and he hated breaking that up.

“He was a man you were proud to call a friend,” said Mr Briggs.

Mr Thompson’s son, David, said his father had prepared a list of his achievements to be read out at his funeral, which was a celebration of his life, rather than a sad affair.

“I had a great respect for my father, but whatever I said would not be enough,” he said.

Mr Thompson is survived by his wife, Paddy, children David and Judith, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

* A version of this article was published previously by The Press, but with inaccuracies, for which we apologise.