Leonard (Len) Bays, died peacefully at home on March 3.
Mr Bays came from a long line of timber traders and his own career started just after the second world war, at E Sherry at Homerton Bridge in London, where he worked with his father.
He then moved to J Gliksten & Sons Ltd in Carpenters Road, where he worked measuring and grading, before moving on to Edward Chaloner & Co, then R Bernard & Co.
He then moved to RM Turner & Hunters Ltd, where he was promoted to sales manager. He worked there for many years until, with the help of his wife, Kath, he started his own timber merchant, Grovebury Timber in 1975, working there until he retired in 1997. His son, Paul, worked with him at Grovebury Timber for around 10 years.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday March 18.
