TRIBUTES have been paid to a passionate golfer with a “ready sense of humour”.

Keith Greenley died on May 4, aged 88.

Born in Old Malton, in 1931, Keith was the youngest of three brothers, the eldest, Norman, flying with the Bomber Command in the Second World War and his other brother, Peter, also serving in the RAF. For his National Service, Keith served in the RAF in Germany.

His nephew, Jon Greenley, said: “I’ll remember my Uncle Keith as a particularly warm, friendly man with a ready sense of humour and easy smile.

“He was always interested in how I was getting on and we’d often spar on politics and sporting issues without ever losing our respect and love for one another.

“He was someone who built lifelong friendships and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Keith sang as a choirboy at St Mary’s Priory Church in Old Malton.

He played cricket and football for Old Malton and was golf club captain at Malton & Norton Golf Club. Keith was passionate about golf and enjoyed the challenge of playing different courses, including St Andrews in Scotland.

In later years, he was heavily involved with the EGGS (Elderly Gentlemen’s Golf Society) section at Malton and Norton Golf Club. He was also an active Rotarian, keen hill walker and gardener.

Keith married Enid Theasby, in Norton, on August 28, 1958, celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary in 2018.

He worked as a bricklayer and mason for William Anelay’s of York, rising to the position of contracts manager. His work saw him involved in specialist building repair and conservation on such landmark buildings as Studley Royal stable block, Egton Manor and Nostell Priory.

Keith lived most of his life in Old Malton, at one point living in the Thatch Cottage next to the Wentworth Arms. It was only the floods of the 1990s and 2000 that prompted a move to Norton.

A private cremation has been held with a memorial service at St Mary’s planned in the future.