HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a respected businessman and father-of-two.
Owen Roberts, who was a director of Wrexham auctioneers Wingetts, died at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital on Saturday, February 2.
Mr Roberts, 62, of Acton, Wrexham, is survived by wife Gaynor, daughters Claire, 37, and Sally, 34, plus grandson Owen, five, and three-month-old grand-daughter Charlotte.
Mrs Roberts told the Leader: “He was a generous, hard-working and sociable man who loved spending time with his friends and family.
“He was a professional man who took great pride in his work. He was a true gentleman.”
Mr Roberts joined Wingetts aged 16 straight from Grove Park Grammar School.
He began his career as an auctioneer and a valuer, before working his way up to partner before retiring four years ago.
Mrs Roberts said: “He worked for many years in the Wrexham area, and had done valuation work at Erddig and Chirk Castle.
“He was also a licensed trade valuer and worked with Border Breweries before it became Marston’s, as far as Hull and the West Country.
“He enjoyed his job and made a lot of long-term friends.”
The couple, who met when Mrs Roberts worked in a solicitor’s office across the road from Wingetts, married in 1973 and were due to celebrate their ruby wedding in July.
Mr Roberts was also an avid golfer and was a member of Wrexham Golf Club before his health deteriorated.
Wingetts company secretary Martin Pearce said Mr Roberts was a partner and director at the company for more than 30 years.
He added: “Owen liked a job to be done properly, and was very fair.
“He was an approachable boss, and loved nothing more than mixing with his colleagues after work. He will be sadly missed.”
His funeral will take place at St Giles’ Parish Church on Monday at 2.30pm.
Family and close friends are invited to gather afterwards at Ramada Plaza Wrexham, to celebrate his life.