HONLEY man Gerald Peach spent his life serving the public.

He died on June 21 at his home in Honley, aged 60.

Mr Peach was born in Ossett and started work at Wakefield City Library in 1962.

On the day of his interview he met his wife, Wendy, who was also a librarian there. The couple married four years later.

Mr Peach moved to work at West Riding County Library and mobile library in Wakefield.

He then became librarian at Holmfirth and he and his wife moved to Honley in 1971. He also worked at New Mill and Honley libraries.

In 1974, he became personal assistant to the librarian and curator of the newly-formed Kirklees Metropolitan District Council.

Mr Peach retired in 1995, but often did emergency cover shifts at various libraries.

Mrs Peach said: "He really enjoyed his job. He loved meeting people and helping out."

Mr Peach was also a past president of the Huddersfield branch of Unison.

Lesley Kipling, a member of Huddersfield Unison, said: "He was well-known across Kirklees. He will be remembered fondly - he was always good for a laugh. He fought for his members and he cared about them too."

He was secretary of the Holmfirth Music Festival for 25 years and was also treasurer of Honley Conservative Club.

He was a keen Huddersfield Giants fan.

Mrs Peach said: "He liked football until he met me and I converted him. He was passionate about his job, his rugby and his family."

Mr Peach had two daughters, Julie and the late Alison and was grandfather to Benjamin, four, and Abigail, 10 weeks.

His funeral will be held at Honley Parish Church tomorrow at 12.30pm, followed by cremation at Huddersfield Crematorium at 1.30pm. Donations can be made to Yorkshire Cancer Research, c/o Mrs G Schofield, Radcliffe Funeral Service, 2 Exchange, Honley, HD9 6AY.