THE former landlord of a once-popular pub near York has died, aged 67.

Gordon Eastwood grew up in The Fox, in Nether Poppleton, the pub which his family had run since 1904.

He retired as landlord nine years ago, but the pub was such a big part of his life he continued to visit every evening to see the locals until it was demolished to make way for a new housing estate.

Described as a quiet and caring man by his wife of eight years, Melanie, Mr Eastwood was heavily involved in country pursuits including shooting, fishing and golf, and he was also a dog lover.

Mrs Eastwood, who used to work with her husband in the pub, said: "He was a quiet sort of man, he loved the countryside and all country pursuits.

"And he was a very caring person. He would do anything for anybody and he had a lot of friends.

"He was a devoted family man."

Mr Eastwood had two sons, Stephen and Anthony, with his first wife Jeanette, and he was stepfather to James, Lucy and Ben.

He also had five grandchildren, the youngest of whom, Emilie, was born on Christmas Day at York District Hospital.

A funeral service will take place at St Everilda's Church, Nether Poppleton, next Tuesday.

Mr Eastwood died on December 28 at St Leonard's Hospice, after suffering from prostate cancer.

Updated: 14:37 Thursday, January 03, 2002