Retired dentist Andy Davidson has died aged 62.

Andy was born and educated in Leeds where he was a keen rugby player and amateur boxer.

After qualifying from Leeds Dental School in the mid 1970s he began working in Keighley before opening practices in Colne and Cowling.

During this time he married his first wife, Helen, and they settled in Cowling where they had two children Joanne and Ian.

Andy quickly became established in the village and during his 30 years there served at various times as chairman of the Cowling Gala Committee and chairman of the governors of Cowling School and South Craven Comprehensive School, Cross Hills.

His leisure activities included playing squash and he was frequently to be found in the Bay Horse public house!

He was passionate about music and loved current affairs and political debate.

After early retirement in 2002, due to throat cancer, Andy made a full recovery and enjoyed travelling extensively.

In 2005 he married his second wife, Sarah, and they made their home in Skipton.

His love of people and socialising lead him to a natural involvement as a non-working partner in Boutique 25, a newly opened hotel in Newmarket Street.

Andy and Sarah continued to enjoy travelling in both the UK and abroad.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2012, but with typical determination, he and Sarah managed to fit as many holidays into his last few months as possible – eight to be exact!

His health suddenly plummeted in early January, and he died on January 25.

The overwhelming expressions of sympathy and the number of people attending his funeral on Friday are testament to the respect and affection in which he was held by friends, colleagues, former patients and his extended family.

He was a true gentleman and will be sadly missed.