A well-known businessman has died at the age of 74, leaving his company in the hands of his son and grandson.

Bob Coates, who started Bob Coates Motors in 1983, lost his fight against a form of leukaemia on Wednesday.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-four spent most of his life on the Island and grew up in Harps Avenue, Minster.

He was into cars and motorbikes from an early age and met his wife Val at the garage in Queenborough Corner where he was a mechanic and she was a receptionist.

From the mid 1970s to early 80s he was the transport and workshop manager at pottery company Royal Doulton in Queenborough.

It was during this time that he became involved in banger racing, both repairing them and getting behind the wheel, picking up plenty of trophies along the way.

Thirty years ago he decided to open Bob Coates Motors in Blue Town, where he worked until ill-health forced him to stop two-and-a-half years ago.

The company was handed over to his son Peter, 43, about six years ago, who recently brought his own son Hayden, 17, into the family business.

Peter Coates said: “He was a true gentleman. That is what everyone keeps saying. He had a reputation for honesty and quality.

“That was the aim and that was something he achieved. He was just a genuine person. He was very friendly and didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone.”

He thanked staff at Lawrence Ward, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, for their care during his father’s final days.

Mr Coates lived in Drake Avenue, Minster, for 45 years with his wife Val, who died at the age of 67 on August 24 last year – 10 days shy of exactly 12 months before her husband.

He was a Freemason and together they raised money for charities.

Peter remembers them collecting donations at family birthdays and anniversaries.

He is survived by his sons Peter, 43, and Richard, 46, and his grandchildren Hayden, Poppy, 19, Harrison, 18 and Tiffany, 14.

The funeral will be held at 11am on Friday, August 30, at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing. A reception will be held afterwards at The Abbey Hotel, The Broadway, Minster.