TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart member of the Tavistock community who sadly died on October 22 at the age of 91.

Deemed a ‘true gentleman of honour’ and a ‘true scot’ Graham Kirkpatrick, who lived on Parkwood Road in Tavistock, was a familiar figure of the town and had dedicated much of his life to those around him and the community.

In recent years he was the carer for his wife Brenda and could often be seen pushing her wheelchair through the town.

During his time in Tavistock, Graham had been a town councillor, a dedicated member of the town’s museum, local history society and the subscription library.

Age did not diminish his determination to be involved in the community aspect of Tavistock — he cheerfully climbed ladders to help dismantle exhibits when the museum moved to Court Gate in 2003. Photography kept him busy but got him into some tricky situations — on one occasion in 2011, Graham clambered up a steep hillside and then climbed a tree to take a photograph of the Gem Bridge under construction in the Grenofen Valley.

His passion for Tavistock history also saw him involved with promoting the 900th Tavistock Market Charter commemorations in 2005 and he was the author of a number of publications, including Nine Centuries of Tavistock Markets and Admiral Kelly of Kelly College.

Roderick Martin, manager of Tavistock Museum, said he was saddened to hear of Graham’s death: ‘Graham was a Scotsman through-and-through but he had a deep love for Tavistock and an enthusiastic interest in its local history.

‘The little corner of Guildhall Square, Tavistock, where the subscription library and Tavistock Museum are located, became increasingly the centre of his world. When possible he would bring Brenda with him and talk cheerily to the many people he knew.

‘He was the most polite and courteous of gentlemen, generous to a fault, thoughtful of others and never dull. New enthusiasms sometimes overwhelmed more balanced considerations but what a joy it was to be the friend of someone who was still discovering new interests in their nineties.’

Freeman of Tavistock Ted Sherrell, who was a councillor with Graham and a long-standing friend, said: ‘Graham dedicated much of his life to those around him and our community is, and will remain, so much the richer for it. He was a man of boundless energy, positivity, originality, with an indefatigable work ethic.

‘Over the decades, he played a truly vital, pivotal role in the exhaustive and successful work, which has resulted in the high profile recognition of the long history and heritage of Tavistock. Also for a while he was a valued member of Tavistock Town Council where, with his inherent integrity, wisdom and generosity of spirit, he often espoused ideas, and fought causes, which he felt would be of benefit to the citizens he represented.

‘Truly a gentleman of fine character and honour, we who dwell in West Devon are so very much the poorer for his passing. A man devoted to his loved ones, our sympathies go to his wife Brenda and his family.’

Simon Dell MBE, chairman of Tavistock Local History Society, said: ‘We are greatly saddened to hear of the death of Graham who was a great example with his enthusiasm for the heritage and history of our town. His writing and research contributed much to the knowledge of our members and a wider audience. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Brenda and the family at this sad time.’

Brian Fyfield-Shayler BEM, chairman of the Tavistock Subscription Library, said: ‘Both Graham and Brenda have been loyal and stalwart members of the Tavistock Subscription Library for decades. Their love and enthusiasm for everything to do with the library has been a great example to us all.

‘Graham was organising the weekly coffee morning only the day before his passing. He was a constant source of knowledge, generosity and support through the years and we will miss him greatly. Our love and condolences are shared with Brenda and their family.’