RESPECTED Nailsworth resident and real gentleman Bert Relf has died. He was 105.
Well known Mr Relf, who lived in the town's Newmarket valley from 1949, celebrated his 105th birthday on April 6.
His party at The Britannia Inn was arranged by The Steppes Residential Care Home in Nailsworth where he had moved following a fall at home a few years ago.
Former baker Mr Relf was born the youngest of 13 children in Eastbourne.
He left school at 14 to follow in his father's footsteps as a baker, driving a horse and cart which delivered the bread.
Mr Relf later worked for the Admiralty during wartime baking bread and cakes while his wife was evacuated to Nailsworth.
Mr Relf then worked for Hillier's in Nailsworth, which produced pork pies, pastries and meat products, for 29 years.
"He was a fabulous cake baker. He used to do wedding cakes," his neighbour Jo O'Hara said.
"He was a real gentleman with a real twinkly sense of humour.
"I've only known him since he was in his 90s.
"He used to come out of his little cottage in his suit and straw hat and go round all the neighbours offering them plums from his garden.
"He was very well known in the area and very respected."
Newmarket Fete made widower Mr Relf its guest of honour when he turned 100 in 2008.
Mrs O'Hara said: "I remember at the fete I bent down next to him and said 'Bert, is there anything we can do for you', meaning shopping or something.
"He said 'another one of them pork rolls would be lovely'."
Mr Relf's funeral took place on Monday at St George's Church in Nailsworth.
His closest surviving relative is a nephew.
