TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Torrington landlord and community stalwart.

John Boyd, known as Jack in the town, died on Monday May 18 aged 80.

The Irishman was the landlord of the Admiral Vernon pub in the town's Well Street for 16 years.

Jack and his wife of 58 years met while they both served in the Navy during the 1940s.

The couple married in 1951 before moving to Trowbridge in Wiltshire, where Jack worked predominantly as a lorry driver.

During this time he visited Devon several times and fell in the love with the scenic county.

In 1973 Jack and Joyce bought the New Inn in Torrington and two years later changed the name of the pub to the Admiral Vernon.

Jack became involved with many projects in the town and raised thousands of pounds for the Appledore RNLI during his time as a landlord.

He was also instrumental in restoring the monument and the clock in the town's Square.

His son Andy said: "Dad was a gentleman and loved Torrington and loved being a part of its community.

"He was really proud of his fundraising for the lifeboat and was an innovator as a landlord being the first pub in town to start selling food around 1975."

In 1989 Jack retired from the pub industry and worked odd jobs including at Shapland's in Barnstaple.

Both Jack and Joyce became wheelchair bound in their later lives.

Andy said: "Many people will remember Mum and Dad together — their smiling faces and juvenile antics.

"They would have a laugh with the youngsters in the town who would encourage them to race while they were scootering around — they were always laughing."

Jack spent his last few weeks in the Intensive Care Unit after he fell down some stairs on his electric scooter.

He suffered a punctured lung and hurt his ribs.

Andy added: "Even just a couple of days before his death when in hospital Dad was still laughing and joking and we're grateful for the time we had with him.

"The family has had hundreds of cards from all over the world wishing us condolences. Dad was well respected and we are grateful of all the love and compassion we have been given."

Jack's funeral took place in the town's crematorium on Friday before a wake at the Conservative Club.

He leaves behind his wife Joyce, sons Andy and Ian, daughters Alison and Linda, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and two on the way.