The landlord of the California Inn at California Cross has died at the age of 74.

Tony Bell was heavily involved in local groups and clubs and died on Tuesday, August 8, at South Hams Hospital.

Anthony John Bell was born during the war, on May 7, 1943, at what is now known as Knowle House in Fore Street, Kingsbridge.

His son Jonathan has allowed us to publish the eulogy he read at his father’s funeral:

Adored by his mother Evelyn and father Bert, they lived here in Galmpton at the Old School House, where Dad spend his childhood between here and Hope Cove. His mother Evie worked all her life, at a B&B, local shop and the post office, all to ensure she could give her son the best of everything, toys, bikes, and even his first motor car.

He went to Malborough Primary School and then on to Kingsbridge Secondary Modern, unsurprisingly terrorising all the girls on the bus. In 1960, aged 17, he attended what was then called the Devon School of Agriculture, which we now know as Bicton College, travelling up there for the week from Kingsbridge sat on the back of Tickners motorbike and returning at weekends when he was not working on site.

He had a desire to be a farmer and so, soon after graduating, he followed his father working on the land for Dudley and Jessy Stidston at Bolberry. By this time he had his first car and was tasked with driving both Stidston girls to school in Salcombe every day.

Dad had many interests but while in his youth he became an active rugby player for Kingsbridge Rugby Club. During the match he could be found out on the wing chatting on the sidelines, doing his hair while waiting for the ball, I’m told he was quite fast!

As many of you will remember, he then worked for Aune Valley Livestock known originally as Avon Farmers Livestock, travelling all over the county buying, selling and transporting pigs and cattle.

The stories I’ve heard about him picking up pigs in the back of a BMC J2 van. The time he took a wrong turn and drove the lorry down some steps in Dartmouth town and the incident when he caught the lorry on a wall, ripping the side open like a tin can with the livestock looking out at him!

In late 1969 he decided to take up the offer in the news to become a £10 POM, emigrating out to Australia, settling in Perth. He worked for a company called Dalgety and travelled all over the outback dealing and auctioneering livestock.

Dad’s energy and drive was his finest asset and his ambition was second to none.

But the call to return to his roots was too great and in 1972 he returned back home to the UK to work, now for Avon Farmers based in Wallingford Road and became sales manager, a job which he enjoyed as it combined his love of farming and selling.

Driving his white Ford Capri he was the man about town.

He later went on to open and manage their Liskeard and Tavistock branches where he enjoyed the farmers and the relationships that he had built up - he was in his element. In the early 1980s he had a difference of opinion with some of the directors and it was then that a new direction was taken.

In 1982, through family connections, he decided to try his hand at being a publican. After some training and running other people’s pubs, he heard that the Ring’O’Bells in West Alvington was up for sale, so in 1983 he bought the pub.

With Dad’s knack of seeing the potential, he created a business that others thought was not possible. Determination and hard work ensured success in this new chosen career.

He continued in the pub trade for the rest of his working life, with the Pickwick Inn and then finishing at the California Inn, only taking a few years break in between. Even at the age of 61, while I was away at university, he went for a job interview with DEFRA and he was some chuffed that he got the job as an inspector.

Dad was a true character, a father of three, a step-dad to one and a loving husband.

What you saw is what you got, a spade was often a shovel, old school in his high standards, but underneath was an emotional, caring and thoughtful man, but there was no messing when it came to any problems.

The way he dealt with complaints is legendary, and upon hearing him talking to customers I used to dread what could be written on TripAdvisor.

Then there were the customers keeping him up late, and he would just send them home by switching the music and the lights off.

He always enjoyed his Euchre, even at the end, and from Thursday nights at the Pickwick to the Monday evenings at the Cali, he would be found sat playing with his partner with one eye on the cards and the other on the till!

He was very proud of his staff – training would be sharp and the saying “load both ways” becoming a mantra to the waitresses constantly! He would always try to be a fatherly figure to them, guiding them whenever he could, and our thanks must to go out to so many of you.

From ‘man about town’ in his youth to a proud member of the community, Dad joined Kingsbridge Round Table, before becoming a founder member and past president of Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club and a member of the 41 Club.

His fellow Rotarians where never left in any doubt that if Dad had an opinion on any subject, he was sure going to give it.

But he would help anyone out if he could, sometimes going out of his way with some fantastic acts of kindness.

So LAST ORDERS and celebrations!

A man, who, for someone hasn’t travelled very far, but who has done so much and touched so many lives in so many different ways. A character, a gentleman, a father and a husband, absolutely contented with his lot. So I say to you all on his behalf…….TIME ladies and gentlemen.