GEOFFREY Teale, who died on October 12, just six days after his 75th birthday, was well-known across Huddersfield as a painter and decorator.

Born on October 6, 1934, in Fartown, Huddersfield, Geoffrey was an only child.

From the age of 14 to 21 he trained at Preston’s decorators in Huddersfield.

He spent his national service in the Army, where his sense of humour came to the fore.

At 22, he married Christine and the couple settled in Lowerhouses in Huddersfield, where they lived for many years.

They had three children, Karen, Simon and Jane, and five grandchildren, Seamus, Josh, Lewis, William and Isobelle.

After he was sadly widowed, Geoff later settled down with Margaret and lived in Golcar.

He inherited four stepchildren, Liz, Paul, George and John and five grandchildren, Robert, Samantha, Charlotte, Aimee and Alisdair and a greatgranddaughter Chloe.

Geoff married Margaret in August this year in a ceremony at Huddersfield.

One of the highlights of Geoff’s life was his love of socialising.

He had many friends and a number of them used to gather for Sunday drinks in Huddersfield town centre.

They called themselves The Committee and used to meet in such pubs as The Vulcan, Isaac’s, Lloyds, Yates, Blobshop and The Station Tavern. The Committee used to go on regular holidays together.

Geoff loved to travel and spent time in Australia, the Caribbean, Spain, Prague, America, Canada and Ireland and even had an indefinite visa for the USA.

He had been self-employed from the age of 24 and carried on working well past normal retirement age.

A funeral service was held at Huddersfield Crematorium.

Donations were given for Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton.