A peer who saw his watchword as “duty” has died.

Lord Pender, of St George’s Place, Sandwich, died peacefully on Saturday aged 83.

John Willoughby Denison-Pender, 3rd Baron Pender of Porthcurnow was a Conservative hereditary peer who once used one word to justify remaining in the House of Lords: “duty.”

His daughter, Mary-Anne Curtis-Green told the Mercury: “He had a huge sense of duty and had very strong views about what was right for England and felt that work and duty came before anything else.

“He was a private man, an intensely loyal man and a traditional man of principle.

“He took life seriously but he also enjoyed life hugely when surrounded by friends and family. He was fascinated by other people, was always inspired by young people and he listened to them.

“He also had an absolute belief in friendship and all that comes from it – enduring friendships were a huge part of his life.”

Lord Pender, a stockbroker, sat regularly in the House of Lords in the 1980s and 1990s.

His family say that he was especially strong in his support for the creation of the Channel Tunnel, which opened in 1994.

Lord Pender, was a steward at the Folkestone and Lingfield in Surrey racecourses.

He was also one of the longest serving members of the St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich and in addition was President of the Old Etonian Golfing Society, a post he held until his death.

Lord Pender was also a former member of Tilmanstone parish council and a generous giver to charity, in particular being a major fundraiser for the Deaf Society.

Mrs Curtis-Green added: “He adored his dogs almost above all else but golf and flat racing were also his passions.

“He loved the sea, used to spend hours walking on Sandwich beach and enjoyed swimming.

“He loved St. George’s which was like a second home to him, along with his two London Clubs where he went often.

“My father enjoyed the buzz of London but the peace of Sandwich.

“He loved East Kent and supported my mother in all her endeavours.”

Lord Pender was the widower of Lady Julia Pender OBE who died in 2013 aged 70.

She was a Kent county councillor for the Sandwich area from 1981 to 1997.

She was also governors’ chairman for Sandwich Technology School and Sir Roger Manwood’s School, Sandwich as well as being a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

The couple had three children, the other two being Emma and Harry.

A service of thanksgiving for Lord Pender takes place at St Clement’s Church, Sandwich, on Friday, January 13, at noon. The wake is at St George’s Golf Club.