Tribute Stalwart remembered

A Bognor Regis stalwart who made ‘a huge positive contribution for the benefit of all residents’ will be remembered as a ‘once in a lifetime person’, according to his grandson.

Father-of-three David Garforth, who had six grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren, died on Thursday, December at the age of 90, in Bognor, where he had lived for more than 50 years. Having ran Garforth’s Hardware for 40 years, initially in West Meads before moving to the High Street in the 1980s, David was also a ‘key figure’ in the twinning of Bognor Regis and St. Maur Des Fosse.

David raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years and was involved in the fundraising and construction of West Meads Hall, whilst he was an entertainer with the West Meads Players for a decade.

David was part of the Bognor Regis Rotary Club for 30 years andwasalsoakeyfigurefor the London and Southern Counties British Hardware Federation, for which he served as chairman. James Girling, who, like his mother, followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by serving his country in the Royal Air Force, said David was ‘incredibly honest and altruistic’. He added: “He was a huge character. You couldn’t wish for a better friend, father, grandfather or greatgrandfather. He was genuinely a once in a lifetime person.” Born in West London in 1930, David was called up, in 1948, for national service. He was posted to Singapore, where he served in the Korean War. Upon his return to England, David ran one of the first legal bookmakers in the country. David also developed a love for music and acting, through which he met the ‘love of his life’, Jean, in 1960.

James said: “He was a very well-known name in Bognor and made a huge positive contribution for the benefit of all residents. It’s become very apparent from all the different people who have got in touch with us, how well loved he was andhowmuchaneffecthehad on people’s lives.”

A private family cremation will be held on December 17 but people are invited to make a donation to St Wilfred’s Hospice via Kevin Holland Funeral Service.