A retired veterinary surgeon turned author and prominent Helston personality has been remembered following his death just a few days short of his 91st birthday.

Noel Stuart, who moved to Helston with his late wife Margaret in 1968 and worked at Head and Head veterinary practice until he retired, as a partner, in 1994, died peacefully at home on May 13.

A service celebrating his life has now been held at St Michael's Church in Helston, for 60 invited guests. This followed a private cremation ceremony attended by family and close friends, with both conducted by Canon David Miller.

The congregation was led by Noel’s children Donal and Alison, along with his grandson Logan, all from New Zealand, and younger daughter Kate, who lives in Helston and looked after their father following the death of his beloved wife Margaret.

Also attending were friends from Helston Rotary Club, of which Noel was one of its longest serving members, along with those from other periods of his life, including his time as a vet in Canada.

Noel was born in the Isle of Man and educated mostly in Ireland. He married Margaret on August 23 in Fornby, Lancashire and they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2016.

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During Noel's funeral service there was an address from his former veterinary partner John Head and a poem, selected by Noel, performed by family friends Chris Ridley and ‘Rhino.’

Recent past Rotary President Tim Grattan-Kane, a close family friend and currently mayor of Helston, read a eulogy for Noel, written by former Rotary President Mike Hales, also a friend of the family.

This read: "The word ‘extrovert’ could have been devised to describe Noel. Never one to conform to any kind of protocol, tradition, or even behaviour patterns – not to mention the Highway Code – he was, nevertheless, an immensely sociable man with an unquenchable thirst for life.

"Apart from his gregarious nature, one of his main attractions as an individual was that he was clearly a man of passion, good nature and an endless supply of affection. The latter was immediately available to anyone who might encounter him, but the passion, above all else, was reserved for his immediate family – his devoted wife Margaret, who handled him with the most subtle confidence; his daughters Ali and Kate and his son Donal.

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Margaret and Noel Stuart celebrating 60 years of marriage in 2016

"You could not step aside on a footpath to let Noel pass without being treated to some extravagant tale of spending the night in a cowshed with a sick animal, or the impact of World War II on his father’s medical practice on the Isle of Man, where he was born.

"Such tales and an endless variety of songs, verses, and musings would likely be delivered in one of many different accents or dialects that he had picked up on his long and meandering path through life as a veterinary surgeon, a sportsman of sorts, a rugby fan of intensity, and a wildly unpredictable driver of various motor vehicles – changing gear with one hand whilst gesticulating with the other was a speciality.

"The sheer force of his personality and the drive of his enthusiasm could sometimes perplex people who did not know him well, to the point of withdrawal.

"But there was not a malicious bone in his body nor thought in his mind. He simply had a slightly different compass from the rest of us and gave free rein to his trains of thought."

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Noel and Margaret on their wedding day in 1956

Noel went on to write three books about his career. Although mainly a large animal vet and an expert on tropical fish, he counted among his most unusual patients Daisy the alligator, who used to live in a tin bath in the kitchen of elderly Mrs Roberts at Tregarne Mill near Porthallow.

A former film star who appeared in films such as In the Doghouse alongside Leslie Phillips and Hattie Jacques, 8ft long Daisy – who was originally named Peter before laying an egg, suggesting a different gender – was given the run of the house and garden but had to be force fed food by Noel during the colder months.

In his eulogy, Mike added: "To most of us Noel was an oversize bundle of energy, fun and impish good humour. He would take and deliver banter of the utmost ‘offence’ with a smile and a joy of the ‘craic.’"

Funeral arrangements were made by David Mitchell.

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Noel Stuart died a few days short of his 91st birthday