A ‘HARD working’ man who owned several garages in South Lakeland has been fondly remembered by those who knew him.

George Bedford, of Riverside Court Kendal, has died aged 87, and his son, Ian, said: “We are only here for a short time and what really matters is what we do with the time we are given and the cards that we are dealt.

“George was dealt a few aces but a lot of deuces along the way and, as he reflected on his life, I believe he had quiet pride and satisfaction in what he had achieved.”

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Mr Bedford was born in 1929 in Barrow, the eldest of six children to his parents, Margaret and Jim.

Margaret Mackay, Mr Bedford’s sister, said: “George was very caring. I always looked up to him. Our father was away a lot in the merchant navy and George was a father figure to us.”

The family moved to Liverpool in 1936, were evacuated to Cheshire at the start of WW2, and relocated to Kendal in 1941.

Mr Bedford attended Central Primary School in 1941, followed by the Senior Boys’ Secondary Modern in Stramongate from 1941-44.

He volunteered to join the Royal Navy in 1947, serving as an aircraft engine fitter on HMS Illustrious and other aircraft carriers.

After meeting Frances McCormack at a Town Hall dance in 1950, they were married at the town’s register office on May 14, 1953. They had three children; Keith, Ian and Carol.

The couple were married for six decades until Mrs Bedford died in 2013.

After working for various garages, Mr Bedford branched out for himself in 1963, setting up a vehicle repair workshop in a disused chicken shed at New Hutton.

In 1965 he moved the business to the old Dobson’s Garage at Burton-in-Kendal.

After buying Arnside Garage in 1975, he sold up both in 1983 and bought the old Crabtree Garage on Kirkland, Kendal, renaming it G & F Bedford Ltd.

He later sold the site for use as a retirement home.

Mrs Mackay said: “George was admired for working hard and building his business up, and his family was very proud of him.”

Mr Bedford was a keen sailor and golfer, acting as the commodore of the Windermere Cruising Association in the 1990s.

Jane Burniston, who later took on the role, said: “George was a lovely man. A very successful sailor, who knew the winds and always wanted to win.”

Mr Bedford had seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.