A MAN, described as “the perfect gentlemen” by staff at a care home has shown his gratitude by remembering every member of staff in his will.

Every employee at the Greensted care home at Wateringbury, near Maidstone, from the manager to care assistants, and even the handyman, each received a cheque for £171 as a result of legacies left in the will of former resident, Raymond Simmons.

Care home manager, Sue Imms, said Mr Simmons, a former professional man, was much loved by all members of staff at the home, which is run by The Abbeyfield Kent Society.

“He was such a nice man with a kind word for everyone but it was a surprise when he came to me and said he wanted to remember us in his will,” she said.

Mr Simmons, died of cancer at the home on December 19, 2007 at the age of 92, and arranged through his solicitor for the bequests to be made.

Probate of Mr Simmons’ will took a year because much of his money was invested in shares.

Mrs Imms said: “He was a single man and was always very appreciative of the standard of care he received at Greensted, and this was his way of saying thank you.”

Before he took up residence at Greensted, a home with a Parkinson’s Disease speciality, Mr Simmons lived at the Old Tovil Road sheltered scheme run by Abbeyfield, and residents there still talk of him with great affection.

Mrs Imms said: “He wanted to make sure that every member of staff who had worked at Greensted during the time he was a resident benefited from his will, even those who had left for other jobs.

“We were all overwhelmed by his generosity.

“We will always remember him.”