POPULAR Mick worked for Flight Refuelling/Cobham for 40 years, and his achievements as an expert on chemical and paint treatments of metal were recognised with an MBE in 1996.

Born in West Sussex in 1935, he was educated at grammar school in Bognor Regis and went on to become an industrial chemist. He came to Dorset while stationed at Tarrant Rushton during National Service with the RAF, joining Flight Refuelling, which was based there, in 1962.

Mick spent his entire working life at the company and inspired Sir Alan Cobham to build the headquarters in his adopted home town of Wimborne. He worked on metal finishes for the nuclear and defence industries and helped develop the fuel filtration system and paint used on Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger jet. He was one of the founders of Cobham Sports and Social Club in Merley, where he was chairman for 10 years before being made life vice president.

As entertainments secretary of Wimborne Rugby Club, he gave Greg Lake his first booking and also hired Zoot Money and Robert Fripp for gigs. He founded Bournemouth Jazz Society, booking Ronnie Scott and other top musicians to entertain members.

He married his first wife in 1960 and remained friends with her after their divorce. He was a very proud father to Stuart, Paul and daughter Maxine. The latter died before him. He had three grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Stuart said: “He was a loving and caring person who would do anything for anybody.

The funeral was on Wednesday.