HEARTBROKEN family and friends of a Stourport historian have paid tribute to him after he lost his battle with lung cancer.

Geoff Neal died at home on February 18, at the age of 94, surrounded by his beloved wife Joan, son Alan, daughter-in-law Christine and grandson Jamie.

Mr Neal lived in Stourport all his life, apart from his spell in the RAF where he served in India and Burma during the war. Before and after the war, he worked at Steatite in the tool room.

He married Joan in 1948, after meeting her at Stourport Carnival, and their son Alan was born in 1951.

But he was well known around Stourport for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the town and its history, giving regular talks to groups.

This culminated in him writing and publishing “Stories of Stourport” in 2012 – the first run of which sold out. Mr Neal, who was also a keen on sport and music, donated proceeds to charity.

During the past few months, his health deteriorated as a result of the lung cancer before he succumbed to the disease.

He is survived by wife Joan, son Alan, daughter-in-law Christine and  three grandchildren, three grandchildren-in-law and six great grandchildren.

His son Alan said: “Two of my close friends have described dad as ‘a rare combination of big heartedness, toughness and fighting spirit’ and ‘like a second parent – with hidden knowledge and an almost impish sense of humour’. I think these both sum up the man who was my father.

“He was a gentle man. He rarely had a harsh word; I never knew anyone of whom he had made an enemy. He had a quite kindness which extended itself to all in a way that was not ostentatious or showy.

“Whilst being his own man, dad was very much half of a bigger whole. He met mum at The Tontine in the Stourport Canal Basin; they married in 1948 and never looked back.

“He loved his extended family, always taking an interest in what they were doing. He was proud of them and gave every encouragement, particularly in their education which he held high as one of the virtues and advantages of life.

“I want to thank all those who over recent times have given him help in his fading years – family, friends, neighbours, his carers, Tracey and Sharon.

“It would be wrong to single anyone out for special mention since together there has been cohesive support which has enabled him to carry on through his adversity and stay in his beloved home with mum.

“He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and man. We shall all miss him.”

Lisa Cooper, who runs the We Love Stourport Facebook page, said: “I'm so incredibly sad to hear about Geoff.

“He was such a lovely man and a pleasure to meet him, talk to him and listen to his stories about Stourport.”