TRIBUTES have been paid to a “true gentleman” from Hungerford whose funeral takes place on Thursday.
Former chairman of the Morley Lunches charity Ian Rolfe, known as Ben, died suddenly on February 19, aged 46, after suffering a tear in a major artery.
The father-of-two, who lived in Atherton Road, was one of the founder members of the charity that provides social lunches for senior citizens and was a friend of Ian Morley, who died in a car accident in 1997.
He also played base guitar for heavy-metal band Nightprowler and helped organise annual music festival Shalfest.
Band member and friend of 15 years, Mike Pickering, said: “He was genuinely the most straight-forward, down-to-earth person.
“He wasn’t out for himself in any way. He was always in the background but his contribution to everything was stunning.”
He said the band would probably continue under a different name.
“Ben would want us to continue,” he said. “If he knew that someone had stopped doing something for him, he would be put-out.”
Another close friend, Helen Tracey, said: “It was very unexpected and a shock. Those who knew him, which is a lot of people, are absolutely reeling from it. He was a true gentleman and a great friend to many.”
Mr Rolfe, who worked as a car mechanic near Devizes, turned his talents to creating floats at carnivals in Hungerford, Newbury and Pewsey during the 1990s, including a mock-up of Batman’s car, which won best trade and public house float in the 1996 Hungerford Carnival.
“He was the guy who would make it happen,” said Mr Pickering, “but he was never the one driving the float.”
Mr Rolfe leaves a widow, Val, and two daughters, Hannah and Emma.
His funeral will be held at St Lawrence’s Church, The Croft, at 11am.