TRIBUTES have been paid to a Newport businessman who was a 'real gentleman' and family man.

Graham Fussell, who ran his family's business Fussells Sports Limited, died aged 89 on October 5. The father-of-two grew up in Hampstead, North London, and moved to Newport to take part in the family business which was established by his grandfather in 1889.

The firm had more than a 100-year-old association with the city with a store in Dock Street and later in John Frost Square.

Mr Fussell entered the family business in 1948 – something he always dreamt of doing from his early days with his father who managed Fussells Sports in London.

He worked tirelessly, initially alongside his uncle Horace and then became managing director of the firm when his uncle died in 1975. The firm had stores over the years in Abergavenny, Port Talbot, London and Welsh Sports in Cardiff; which was run by Mr Fussell’s wife Peggy.

Tributes paid to the family described him as 'very special.'

The family said: "He was kind, considerate and very generous. He was a real gentleman in the old school sort.

"He was really wonderful, he was so unassuming and incredibly hard working."

The grandfather of three read geography at Oxford University and served in the RAF as part of his national service.

Mr Fussell retired aged 70 in 1997 and enjoyed spending more time in his much loved garden and travelling to see his favourite football team Arsenal play.

As a former chairman of Round Table; he set up, supplied and orchestrated the annual Newport Round Table Firework Display and then became a member of 41 Club. Mr Fussell was also one of the founding members of the fundraising arm of St David’s Foundation.

He recently became the longest current serving member in the Rotary Club of Newport and this year received recognition from the Lodge of Friendship for achieving 60 years in freemasonry.

The funeral will take place on Friday, October 21, at St Mark's Church, Gold Tops, at 2.45pm followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium.