A well-known solicitor and former Master of the Gild of Freemen is being remembered at his funeral today.

John Buckle, of Oaken Grove in Haxby, was the youngest master of the ancient gild when he took on the role in 1991 at the age of 41.

His widow, Pauline, said: “Lots of people knew John. He was a very quiet person but we have received so many cards about him. He was well thought of.

“His sense of humour, especially in adversity, endeared him to all those he met and he will be sadly missed.”

The father-of-two grew up in Dringhouses and, after leaving school, worked for City of York Council before moving on to work for Hague And Dixon in Cumberland Street and in Stamford Bridge. He became involved in the disputed ownership of the strays after joining the Gild of Freemen through his father, Leslie Buckle, also a former master of the Gild.

Mr Buckle married Pauline, now 64, in 1971 at St Edward the Confessor Church in Tadcaster Road.

They had two sons, Michael, 36, and David, 34, who both still live in the York area. Mrs Buckle said: “In later years during retirement John gained much pleasure from the companionship of his beloved dog Milo.

“As his mobility diminished, in his latter months he could be found on ‘his’ bench in Churchfields in Wigginton where he made many friends – human and canine.”

Mr Buckle retired from his job in 1998 due to ill health.

He died at the age of 61 on February 2 after battling with cancer.

His funeral was taking place at York Crematorium at 11.40am.