Colin Rowlatt died on March 14 aged 77 after a life spent serving the community.

Born in Leamington, he combined a working life at the Courier with a love of helping others.

He was a former leader of the 7th Leamington scouts, a warden at Holy Trinity church in Leamington, chairman of the Southam branch of the Warwickshire Association for the Blind, and a deacon at the Congregational church in Wood Street.

A music lover and pianist, Mr Rowlatt was also front of house for the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra and was active in many other organisations. In his spare time he enjoyed reading and was a keen glider pilot.

Mr Rowlatt’s son Nick said the family had received many tributes to his father, praising him as a “stalwart”, a “gentleman” and a man who would be missed by the whole community.

Former Courier Press production manager Roy Broady worked with Mr Rowlatt for much of his life. Mr Broady said his colleague had contributed to the growth of the company from being the Courier Press until it was a major newspaper printing centre.

Starting as an apprentice in the 1940s, Mr Rowlatt spent his national service in the 1950s as a typesetter with the RAF. He worked for a short time in the Observer Corps at DMC Kineton before returning to the Courier, where the speed and skill he learned on RAF machines impressed his workmates.

Mr Broady said: “Colin was a first class chap. He was a good friend not only to me but to many other people.

“He was very good at his job and a good servant to the Courier and Heart of England Newspapers.”

Mr Rowlatt remained at the Courier Press and Heart of England newspapers and retired shortly after the company was taken over by Emap in the early 1990s.

He is survived by wife Maggie, four children and seven grandchildren.

There will be a thanksgiving service at Southam Congregational church today (Friday) at 11.30am. Donations can be made to the Warks and Northants Air Ambulance.