VETERAN businessman Philip Buckle, one of Dunstable’s most familiar figures, has died aged 82.
Mr Buckle, who ran gentlemen’s outfitters Buckle’s of Dunstable for many years, had been fighting cancer for some time.
The public-spirited community champion and devoted family man died at home on April 25.
He leaves wife Pam, three children, and nine grandchildren.
The former Dunstable Grammar School pupil was a founder member and past vice chairman of the Dunstable School Old Boys’ Association, and also served on the committee.
Chairman John Bryant said: “Nothing was ever too much trouble for him.
“He was a real gentleman. Dunstable owes him a huge debt for all he has done.”
The Buckle family came to Dunstable in the early 1900s, and ran a grocery shop in Victoria Street.
After Army service in the First World War, Philip Buckle’s father worked at Knights, a draper’s on the present Peacocks site.
He bought 24 High Street South in 1923, and the business evolved into a quality men’s and ladies’ tailoring store. Philip Buckle was born “over the shop”, as his parents lived on the premises, and he joined the family business.
In 1983, he finally wound up the business, and was asked to join Button Bros, in Luton, where he opened a menswear hire section.
He officially retired in 1986, but later worked part-time for his tenant John Butterton, who ran a menswear store in the former Buckle’s premises, now a hair and beauty salon.
Mr Buckle was a Paul Harris Fellow, a prestigious honour awarded in recognition of services for Rotary and the community.
He had joined Dunstable Rotary Club in 1960 and undertook many roles, including serving as president in 1970/71.
Current president Chris Smith said: “He was a perfect gentleman. He would not hesitate to do anything for anyone and he was a fantastic club member. He was a really popular chap. He will be greatly missed.”
Mr Buckle was a past president of Dunstable Chamber of Trade, a former Priory Church churchwarden, and had been a trustee of the Ashton Foundation and the Priory Preservation Trust.
He was chairman of the properties committee for the Dunstable pageant in 1963 and was also a past chairman of the Dunstable Probus Club.
Other interests included his membership of the National Trust, the Dunstable and District Local History Society, and the U3A.
> A funeral service for Mr Buckle will take place at the Priory Church, Dunstable, at 2.15pm on Thursday, May 10. Family flowers only, please.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Rotary Club of Dunstable Benevolent Account, via S.A. Bates, 115 West Street, Dunstable.
