TRIBUTES have been paid to a hard working family man, who was the founder of several Wrexham businesses.

Martin Maher, 78, died on Tuesday, June 6 at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Despite having been in recent poor health, his death was still sudden and a shock for his loved ones.

Martin, from Wrexham, who along with serving time in the Army and at Brymbo Steelworks, started Wrexham Taxis in about 1970 and Martin's nightclub, on Chester Street, as well as other ventures, sold his businesses in his 40s due to ill health.

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Daughter Deborah Corcoran said: "Dad was really loving, kind and funny, with such a nice sense of humour. We're just going to miss him so much.

"He'd been in hospital a couple of times the last few weeks but we were expecting him to get better and come home again, it was still very sudden. There's just no easy way to lose someone close to you. We're all going to miss him something terrible.

"He was very family orientated, idolised the grandchildren, and we always all used to go on holidays together. Him and mum liked to travel, they even had a place in Spain at one point. Unfortunately due to ill health he hadn't been able to travel the last few of years."

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Business and family kept Martin busy but Deborah added: "Everybody that knew him loved dad, he didn't take anything off anybody. If someone didn't do the right thing, it upset him, he was very much straight that way.

"Mum and dad worked 18 hours a day, and from the very beginning it was very hard for them. That's my memory of them, both so hard working.

"Beyond that we would do nice things and we would have nice things, because they had worked hard for it. We spent lots of quality time together when they weren't working, going out for meals, walks with the dog and holidays."

Martin leaves behind wife Audrey, daughter Deborah, son Lee, grandchildren Robert, Rachael, James and Katie, and brother David.

A funeral will take place at noon on Friday, June 23 at Pentrebychan Crematorium in Rhostyllen. A collection will be held for Nightingale House Hospice. All enquiries to Caldecott & Sons Funeral Directors on 01978 292050.