THE former owner of FH Ellis and Car and Kitchen died peacefully at home in Langcliffe at the age of 86.

Chris Ellis was born in Settle in July 1928, and attended Giggleswick School before being called up for National Service, serving in Germany.

In the 1950s Chris took over FH Ellis, the garage business started by his father Fred in the 1920s. The business flourished under his guidance becoming so busy that Chris took on a partner, Dennis Howarth. The garage is still run today by Dennis’s family.

In the 1970s Chris was one of the founding partners of the now well-known gift shop called Car and Kitchen in Settle.

Chris’s daughter, Elizabeth, and son-in-law Ken became partners in the late 70s and this business remains in the family to this day.

As well as running the two businesses, Chris also found time to work tirelessly and enthusiastically for many local organisations. He helped to raise funds for the building of Settle Swimming Pool and supported it continuously by collecting waste paper.

Even into his eighties, with the help of other volunteers, Chris could be seen around Settle on top of the trailer which he built himself, crushing down cardboard collected from local businesses, all of which was sold to provide funds for the swimming pool.

He was a founding member of the Settle Carlisle Railway Business Liaison Group, formed to save the line from extinction and was, for a long spell, chairman of Settle Chamber of Trade. He helped establish the Tourist Information Centre in Settle and for many years had the thankless task of drawing up the rota of volunteers.

He was also a Rotarian.

For more than 60 years, Chris and his wife Nancy lived in Langcliffe where he was a member of the parish council, representing Langcliffe Church at the Deanery Synod.

Chris loved Settle and had a wealth of tales going back decades. His greatest love however, was for his family, who have been greatly moved by the many generous tributes paid to him.

Chris is survived by his wife Nancy, three daughters, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.