REG Stone was well known for cycling and his long service to Huddersfield’s textiles industry.
The popular Skelmanthorpe man spent a life in textiles, working 16 jobs spanning 48 years.
If he ever wanted a better job he would just get on his bike and cycle there.
The 90-year-old died peacefully the day after his birthday at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Born in Rotherham, Mr Stone was a passionate cyclist and pedalled the 43 miles from Huddersfield to York for the 50th time at the age of 78.
A member of the Cyclists’ Touring Club since 1939, he took part in the annual rally to York race course until retiring from cycling in his late 70s.
Having become a farm labourer at 14, Mr Stone went on to work at Abe Crabtree’s Springfield Mill at Kirkburton.
During the Second World War he served in the RAF in Burma and was awarded the Burma Star.
After the war he began to move up the ranks in the mills around Huddersfield working in more than a dozen.
In 1978 he finally left the textiles industry and began working as a street sweeper for Denby Dale Council.
He retired in 1983 but only a month later was hit by the death of his wife Hilda from cancer, aged just 54.
One of four siblings, three brothers and a sister, Mr Stone had a son Malcolm and daughter Anne and became a great-grandfather in 2008.
He was well known for working with his hands and loved repairing clocks, watches and bikes.
A lifelong fan of rugby league he saw Fartown play at old Wembley and the Giants at new Wembley.
After the death of his wife he also enjoyed travelling the world with his son, Malcolm.
A member of the village history society he lived at his house in Skelmanthorpe for more than 50 years.
Mr Stone’s funeral is at St Aidan’s Church, Skelmanthorpe at 10.45am tomorrow.
