PROMINENT Tavistock businessman Edmund Kaminski died this week, at the age of 77.

Edmund Kaminski died in Derriford Hospital on Monday, December 9, after a month in Tavistock Hospital.

Mr Kaminski?s untiring work ethic built up Kaminskis Garden Centre and Builders? Merchants in Parkwood Road, and the road is lined with a portfolio of Kaminski-owned properties, which he and his son Tony began acquiring in the late 1980s.

Mr Kaminski came to Britain from Poland as a displaced person during the second world war, where he was at Plasterdown camp. His wife Doris came from Milton Combe, and they had one son, Tony.

Edmund Kaminski founded the business when he bought the plot of land where the builders? merchants stands.

Over the last 30 years he has built up the garden centre and building centre business and expanded into new ventures.

Mr Kaminski?s son Tony said that until very recently his father was still working every day, often he was first to start work in the morning, and would get involved operating heavy machinery.

Tony said his father was ?devoted to the community and to the goodwill of the town?.

Mr Kaminski was a former Tavistock citizen of the year, and four years ago appeared on the BBC programme 999, taking part in the reconstruction of a dramatic rescue in which he was involved.

As a mark of respect, all Kaminski?s operations will be closed on the day of the funeral, Tuesday, December 17. The service will take place at 2pm in St Eustachius Church, Tavistock.