A former blacksmith and father of the manager of Epsom Coaches died aged 91 - a year after his wife was killed in a tragic house fire in Chessington.

Roy Whiteway revisited the home he had lived in with his wife Dorothy four days before he died peacefully in Epsom Hospital where he had been admitted for a suspected stroke.

He had lived in the Chessington and Tolworth area for most of his life and his son Steve, who was with him when he died, said: "He was a character no question about that, he was in a bit of a time warp but we loved him for it."

Roy trained for the RAF in Dallas and learned touch typing and shorthand, which he could still do before he died.

His two main trades were as a blacksmith and as a marine engineer. He continued to blacksmith from home and built a portable forge which he took to events.

A lover of motorbikes, Roy would put a side car on his bike and the family would travel around the country.

When they all lived at home in Moor Lane, his three sons would often bring friends round to get things fixed and Roy was always willing to help.

He was still active as he grew older and would clear people's gardens for them into his 80s.

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Dorothy Whiteway died in a house fire in July and her funeral was held last September (below). Picture: Hayley Bray Photography

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Roy was there at the funeral to say goodbye to his wife

Last July, Roy's wife for 63 years, Dorothy, died in an accidental house fire.

Roy attended the funeral in September.

Mr Whiteway said: "We took him back there [the house in Moor Lane, Chessington] about four days before he died. I don't know whether it gave him some closure.

"It's sad because in his last year, just over a year since the fire, what must've been going through his mind."

He died on Sunday, September 6, and his son said: "Mum and dad were really a part of the community, I've had so many cards.

"I think most people will remember them as always smiling, always happy to help anyone and always generous."