He was never happier than when he was proudly leading a stream of dancers, but now Len Oliver, the man known affectionately to many as "Mr Flora Day," has taken his final step.
Mr Oliver, who founded the housing furniture company Oliver and Son (Helston) Ltd, has died in hospital at the grand old age of 91.
He was perhaps most recognisable in his top hat and tails, in his role as Flora Day steward, and last year he was presented with a glass vase engraved with lily of valley, to commemorate his 40th year as honorary secretary of the Flora Day Association.
One of his proudest moments was being able to watch his granddaughter Laura lead the Midday Dance in May this year.
His son, Chris, said: "He was very much a family man and was very proud of what all his family had achieved. In latter years, since my mother died, his family became very important to him."
A Helstonian through and through, Mr Oliver was born in the town in 1916 and grew up in Meneage Street with his parents and two sisters, before being educated at Hoe Grammar School in Plymouth.
In 1935, at the tender age of 19, he purchased the premises in Coinagehall Street, which he developed into the furnishing company Oliver and Son (Helston) Ltd. The firm is still going today and is now run by his son Chris - although Mr Oliver insisted on working right up until May this year, going in for a few hours every day.
Two years later he met his future wife, Phyl, at a summer ball at Bath College of Domestic Science. They subsequently married and had two children, Susan and Chris.
In 1938 Mr Oliver joined the Territorial Army with a number of friends in Helston and was called up for active service. He was commissioned a second lieutenant with 341 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery in the Royal Artillery and was posted to various locations on the south coast. He was with his regiment on the day that Brussels was liberated, then moved to Antwerp to shoot down V1s, before eventually finishing his war service in Hamburg as Regimental Adjutant.
On his return to Cornwall, he and his family lived initially at Praa Sands, where they became involved with the churches in the united parishes of Breage, Germoe and Ashton. Len was churchwarden and treasurer at Breage for many years, as well as being instrumental in starting the successful Praa Fair events, renovating the murals and organising the pageant.
The family moved to Helston in 1952. As the children grew up they enjoyed many family holidays abroad, with Switzerland being a favourite haunt.
It was a great sadness for Len when Phyl died in 1975, but he continued to live in the family home and look after himself for the next 32 years, maintaining high standards in everything he did.
"I don't think I ever saw him get up in the morning and have breakfast before he shaved. He was always very smart and liked to feel he looked the part. I've had lot of letters saying he was a very distinguished gentleman and I think that sums him up," said Chris.
Mr Oliver helped found the Helston Rotary Club in 1957 and later became president, as well as a Paul Harris Fellow.
"He enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of the club and became very involved with social and fundraising activities," added Chris.
Mr Oliver was also supportive of the Friends of the Cottage Hospital in Helston and Phyl was secretary of the organisation for a time.
He was a governor at Helston Grammar School for several years, prior to it changing to a comprehensive status. He acted as a commissioner of taxes for the Inland Revenue, bringing practical business experience to this appointment.
Chris said: "He had a very enquiring mind. He always wanted to know what was going on and wasn't afraid to ask lots of questions. He had a great interest for other people and was interested to meet new people. He was the last person to be sat around very long."
In later years Mr Oliver became an enthusiastic golfer and spent many happy hours at Mullion Golf Course. When not playing golf he could be found walking the cliff paths, with the Halzephron at Gunwalloe a particular favourite.
He leaves a daughter Susan, who is married to Graham with two sons Jonathan and Matthew, and a son Chris with his wife Sheila and their two daughters Laura and Hannah.
A private family creation service will take place, with a service of thanksgiving then held at Breage Church on Saturday, September 22 at 2.30pm. The family has requested that no black ties be worn, as the services will be a commemoration of a long and fulfilled life.
Leslie Collins, chairman of the Flora Day stewards, said he had known Mr Oliver ever since he was born.
Now aged 87, Mr Collins said: "He was a very highly organised person, very generous and very kind. He was meticulous in all his work and relations with other people. The greatest thing I can say about him is that in his 91st year he faced life with a wonderful serenity. He was satisfied with what he had done in his life and he faced it with no problem at all."
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