A WELL-KNOWN motor trader in Ross-on-Wye, who ran two garages in town, has died at the age of 86.

Jeff Gardner was the proprietor of Gardner’s Garage and Gardner Butcher Garages, and passed away at Hereford Hospital, surrounded by love, on August 21.

Jeff established Gardner’s Garage in Kyrle Street, in 1964 at the age of 24. He grew up in Brampton Road with his parents Reg and Hazel and sister Pat.

He was also a skilled cornet player, and was a member of Ross Town Band with his dad.

Upon leaving Ross Secondary School, he worked alongside his father, repairing cars from a rented workshop in New Street.

During National Service in the early 1960s, Jeff was able to utilise his skills and his ‘entrepreneurial’ spirit to get leave ‘every’ weekend to bring the officers’ cars back to Ross to repair them.

When Jeff’s father Reg died in 1964, he was left with only a box of tools, the support of customers and the local bank manager, he got a loan to buy the old Gas Works offices in Kyrle Street.

Jeff married Gwyneth as he established ‘Gardner’s Garage’ later that year and gradually built up a staff of mechanics; with two secretaries upstairs, typing noisily on ribbon typewriters.

The garage in Kyrle Street was a hub of activity. In the late 1970s, he bought ‘The Motor House’ in Brookend Street, built by the Butcher family in 1905, and ‘Gardner Butcher Garages’ was formed.

Jeff was well-liked and respected both locally and in the wider motor-trade community. He is known for his positive stride and friendly smile about town.

His mind was always on finding the right car for a certain customer. He often said, “The garage days were the best days of my life”.

In 1986, Jeff married Joy and were a devoted couple for 41 years. They travelled to Australia and the Outback.

Jeff snorkelled enthusiastically out to the Great Barrier Reef, he continued unaware, into shark-infested water and had to be rescued - to the amusement of onlookers.

He way always curious and adventurous. On retiring in 2016, he fulfilled his dream of travelling the UK and Europe in a motorhome with Joy, and his beloved Jack Russell, Clyde.

He was a whizz on his smart phone and had fully embraced the digital world well into his 80s. He was passionate about current affairs and thought nothing of helping out friends and neighbours.

Jeff is remembered by his grandchildren for his enthusiasm on ‘extreme’ fairground rides.

Jeff will be forever missed by his deeply loved wife Joy; his children: Sharron, Elaine and Phillip; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; family and friends.

The loss of Jeff Gardner comes at a time when the Kyrle Street garage is being demolished, and Gardner Butchers is now the site of ‘Aldi’.

The world is changing. Characters such as Jeff Gardner probably belong to a different age, but the enthusiasm and his smile with which he greeted everyone, will be remembered.

Jeff was a true gentleman, and a part of Ross’s history. At his request, there is no funeral service.