Per Olof Johansson

After working for some years in his native Sweden, then spending three years in Liberia from 1963, he returned home to join Monsun Tison manufacturers of hydraulic control valves before taking over the UK operation in 1972.

He only came to England for three years, but soon realised he enjoyed working here and was appointed managing director of the English subsidiary staying well after retirement, until ill health made it sensible to return to Sweden in 2008 to be near his family.

He started work in rented premises in Milner Way, Ossett, owned by Harlow and Milner distributers of hydraulic control valves, and soon became friends with Frank Milner and his family. He developed the business into one of the country's largest suppliers and was instrumental in the design and building of premises in Ossett which are still used today.

Mr Johansson was born in the Swedish city of Arboga and following National Service in the army he married Ruth Hoflin.

The incident with the turnip came when his wife sent him to Wakefield market to buy one for a recipe. But he returned empty-handed as the stallholder could not understand what he wanted.

He was immediately sent back with a description of a turnip to which the stallholder said: "Oh you mean a bloody swede". From then on Mr Johansson assumed that as he was a Swede he must be a "bloody turnip".

He never lost his roots in Sweden and in 1983, with the help of Harlow and Milner, imported a typical Swedish timber framed house for him to live in.

In 1975, he was invited by Mr Milner to join Ossett Rotary Club where he became very active and was President in 1984-85. In 1979, Mr Johansson arranged for the club to twin with Mark Rotary Club, Kinna, Sweden, and since then exchanges have taken place every two years. He was eventually awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his services to Rotary and the community.

In 1996, he and Mr Milner formed the Tykes International Investment Club of which Mr Johansson was the only person to hold a permanent position as treasurer. In their first year they won the most successful investment club competition in England, which brought them a prize of 1,500 presented during a visit to the Stock Exchange. The club flourished until just before the crash of 2008, which they anticipated, and they liquidated the shares and distributed the money.

Mr Johansson became a Freemason in 1976 joining Howley Lodge where he became the Worshipful Master in 1992-93. He was a founder member of Woodsmoke Lodge and the Acting Officers Lodge of Yorkshire West Riding becoming Worshipful Master in both. He was awarded the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden for his services to Freemasonry.

Mr Johansson is survived by his wife Ruth of more than 63 years, his daughter Gudrun and his grandson Per. His funeral will be held on Friday in Sweden.