BUSINESSMAN, great-grandfather and "real gentleman" Mick Withey has been laid to rest only a stone's throw from his beloved home in Callowell.
The retired managing director of stationers and print firm James & Owen in Stroud died at the Northfield House care home in the town. He was 90.
He was buried at St Paul's Church in Whiteshill following his funeral service there. Regular worshipper Mr Withey was a sidesman at St Paul's.
Mr Withey, whose son Peter now continues the family business in London Road, moved to Callowell House in his first year of life.
His widow Kaye said he had lived in Callowell for all but a few years following their marriage in 1953.
Schooled at Miss Brinkworth's in Folly Lane, Stroud, and later at boarding school in Devon, Mr Withey worked first at the former Hoffman's engineering works in Stonehouse.
He volunteered in the Second World War, joined the Royal Corps of Signals and served mostly in India, family friend and employee Colin Prockter told mourners at the funeral.
Mr Prockter, an actor who has appeared on ITV serial drama Coronation Street and in the BBC's sci-fi hit Doctor Who, said it was after demob that Mr Withey learned his trade as a master printer in London.
He then joined his father at James & Owen, later becoming MD in 1957.
Mr Withey felt "truly at home" at Callowell House, Mr Prockter said.
"Mick led by example and had a very strong work ethic, he fostered good manners and was a constant in all our lives," he said.
Long after retirement Mr Withey maintained an interest in James & Owen and was regularly seen every day walking through town on his way to "just help out".
His daughter Alison Mason said Mr Withey had a terrific sense of humour and her sister Wendy Drewett agreed.
"He was mischievous, had a little twinkle in his eye when he was up to something," Mrs Drewett said.
Mr Withey moved to Northfield House, where staff spoke of him as a "real gentleman", due to ill health in later years.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
James & Owen, among Stroud's oldest family firms, was founded by George H James stationer and Henry Owen printer before the First World War.
