A FITTING final farewell has been paid to a colourful businessman who joined RAF as young man and enjoyed a lifelong passion for music.

A lone saxophonist played poignantly as a hearse carrying the coffin of John James Lowe arrived at his home in Esh Winning, County Durham, before his family made their way in a cortege to St Paul’s Church, in Waterhouses, on Tuesday.

Serving members of the RAF and a veteran formed a guard of honour as his coffin, draped in the regimental flag, was carried into the church for a private funeral service.

The 85-year-old, known affectionately by his four daughters as the godfather for the colourful life he led, also fought in the Malaysian jungle with the SAS, before spending a stint as a private investigator and going on to forge a successful business career.

He was evacuated from London at the age of four along with his brother in September 1939 and when he left school aged 14 went to work with his mother in the mills in Lancashire. In 1953 he enlisted with the RAF and spent three years as an armourer.

Mr Lowe married his wife Cecelia in 1963 at St George’s Church, in Jesmond.

He worked in the paint industry, as managing director of a paint company in Malta for a period, before taking over Oliver’s Coffee Shop in Durham’s Silver Street, on his return to the UK.

Speaking after the funeral, daughter Nicki Gott said: “I was overwhelmed at the amount of people who came out to pay their respects and that every single one who sent flowers said my dad was a gentleman.

“And the service paid tribute to a true gentleman. He was loved to the core. It was fitting and beautiful that members of the RAF answered the call to be there.”

Mr Lowe was laid to rest in his white tuxedo with his mouth organ in his pocket.

He was also survived by his wife Cecelia, daughters Michelle, Jacqui and Natalie, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.