He was a familiar face at Helston’s Flora Motors for ten years but on Saturday John Hodge took his final journey.

Mr Hodge, who retired in March 2011 after ending his career as service manager at Flora, was admitted to hospital on Friday evening after suffering a heart attack. He died early the next morning, aged 68.

He leaves a wife, Kathryn, son and daughter Paul and Carolyn, and three grandchildren Dulcie, Isobel and Billy.

Paul said: “He was greatly loved. He was happy and cheerful and positive, and will be greatly missed.”

Mr Hodge, who was known for his smiling face and jolly “Hello” for all customers taking their cars in for repair, service or MOT, spent his entire 50-year career in the motoring industry.

He started as a 15-year-old apprentice at Falmouth’s RL Dale and Son Ford dealership on April 7, 1961 as an apprentice mechanic. He continued as a mechanic until he was 21, when he became a service receptionist.

After five years he was promoted to assistant service manager and in 1984 became service manager.

In 1989 he took on the role of general service manager of four departments: cars service, truck service, body shop and boat engines, which the company also used to service at that time.

During this time the garage was run first by Leonard Dale and later his son, Alan Dale. It was then taken over by Ford Motor Company.

In 1995 the business changed its name to Vospers and John was made branch manager for six years. He left in 2001 to work for Billy Bosustow at Flora Motors in Helston, where he became service manager for a decade, retiring a day before his 65th birthday.

At the time of his retirement Mr Hodge said: “I shall miss the customers very much. I have day-to-day contact with customers all the time and a lot of people have become friends as well. I’ve enjoyed all my working life. If I had to go back and start again I don’t think I would change anything.

“I would like to thank all the customers and all the staff that have supported me over the years. It’s been a privilege to be of service to them all.”

He planned to spend his free time walking and travelling, as well as spending more time with his grandchildren.

Mr Hodge was Penryn born and bred and lived there up until his death. He was a Penryn town councillor and church warden for St Gluvias Church, which he was involved with all his life.

He was also a special constable in Penryn from the early 1970s to the late 80s and involved with many different organisations within the town, including the rugby club and snooker club.

His funeral service will take place this Monday, at 11am, at St Gluvias Church, followed by a burial at the Glebe Cemetery.