Paul Boyes

Born in Scarborough, Mr Boyes was the last surviving grandson of William Boyes who had set it up.

When he was 16, his eldest brother, Jim, was killed in the Second World War, and that same year his mother died, serious losses to the family but there was still a business to be run, and Mr Boyes joined his father and two brothers, Peter and George, to help.

He began on the shop floor in Scarborough, his first position being in the Gentlemen’s Department. When called up, he joined the Royal Navy, becoming a sick berth attendant based in Portsmouth.

The war over, he returned to the growing family business, but now at the Boyes store in York which at the time was on Ouse Bridge, in a former paint warehouse.

He spent a short period in Liverpool, returning to York in 1951 as a buyer of toys and fancy goods His future wife, Doreen, worked in the store, and their relationship began at this time.

He was made manager of the family’s Grimsby store, and appointed to the company board. He returned in 1968 to York.

Retiring in 1991, he remained as a non-executive director until his death.

Mr Boyes was appreciated by family, friends and employees of the business for his sense of humour – he much enjoyed the re-telling of amusing and unexpected incidents – and his many kindnesses.

In later years he lived in Stamford Bridge, and is survived by his children Susan, Karen and David, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.