A POPULAR landlord who ran pubs in York for nearly three decades has died of cancer.

Frank Cartin was well known throughout the city, most recently for his time spent behind the pumps of The Snickleway Inn, in Goodramgate.

Mr Cartin, 66, moved to Strensall from Bristol in the 1970s to run The Ship before moving into York city centre to take ownership of The White Horse, in Bootham, a decade later.

He then moved on to The Anglers Arms, and was there when it changed name to The Snickleway.

The grandfather, father and husband of Diane, was born in Possil Park, Glasgow, in 1950 and moved to the West Country as a child.

John Jones, Mr Cartin’s nephew, worked for his uncle for two years when he left the Royal Navy.

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“He was a giant amongst the York licensees,” he said.

“He was really well known and very supportive of anyone in the licensee trade and very supportive of the staff who worked for him.

“The funeral is going to be huge and a lot of people will be there.

“He was a giant amongst men and a fantastic character who is going to be missed, not just by his family but by friends he made in the trade.”

Mr Cartin died in St Leonard’s Hospice on November 20 and his funeral will take place at York Crematorium on Wednesday, November 30, at 3pm.

“He fought an incredibly brave fight and still attended functions, like the one we had for his birthday,” added Mr Jones.

“We also organised a staff reunion at The Snickleway Inn and he really enjoyed that.

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“He was still trying to be as active as he could despite his illness.”

Mr Jones also recalled his uncle’s love of sport, which saw him play squash and rugby, and regularly go shooting.

He was a successful darts player and became part of The White Horse’s team, which racked up a 10-year winning streak during his time as landlord, said Mr Jones.