Tributes have been paid to a "kind, honest and generous" garage owner who worked tirelessly into his later years to serve the community.

Dennis Reeve, of Reeve's Garage in Hythe Street, Dartford, passed away in April, aged 93, after several years of ill health.

Apart from a brief spell in the army during the Second World War clean-up operation in Germany, he spent his entire life at the repair shop.

He was renowned for his strong work ethic and knowledge of his trade which earned him the trust and repeat custom of many motorists.

Customers held his "honesty, integrity and fairness" in high regard and Dennis would continue to work into his late 80s.

Son Paul led the tributes to his dad, who he worked with at the family garage for more than 30 years.

He said: "Dad was a kind, honest, generous and gentle man who had a love for all things engineering and a particular love for wood and for boating.

"Most of the time he was doing something for someone else, whether it was going the extra mile at work or making a coffee table or a toy for a child. He was always making something from wood."

He added: "Although recreation time was rare for dad he did manage to enjoy time messing about with boats on the Medway from time to time."

Dennis first took over ownership of the Dartford-based business after a partnership with his own father.

He would continue on his own for a time until being joined by son Paul in 1983 at the inception of a secondary business, Reeve's Roadfreight.

The courier and haulage business ran for around 20 years before they decided to concentrate on the motor trade.

Dennis was described as "non academic" but had an "innate ability to pick up the right tool", added Paul.

"He could always solve anything," he said. "He would always take the rubbish work as it could go on for hours and not get anywhere, leaving his staff with the more conventional work."

But he would not charge in the absence of a diagnosis, and his persistence would pay off more often than not, helping cement their hard-working reputation locally.

"He, more than anybody else, was the man behind the ethos of Reeve's Garage," Paul said. "Not only was it his only job but it was his birth home."

The garage would eventually close in late 2019 after 94 years of the family business and an application has since been approved to convert the building into a block of 11 flats.

Dennis moved into a care home just a few days before the initial lockdown last year and was unable to receive visitors other than at the window.

The car and boating enthusiast had bravely fought off bowel cancer in his 70s but had been experiencing different neurological problems at the time of his death on April 21.

In 2001 he became a widower following the loss of wife Anita and was cared for in his final years by partner Margaret.

"Despite the relief of the end to his suffering, he will be sorely missed by family and friends, as well as many customers," added Paul.

Tributes flooded in to the firm following news of his death.

One person said: "So sorry to hear this news but a long life well lived. A Dartford legend in a very unassuming way. Condolences to you all.

Another wrote: "Sorry for your loss, he was a very kind and helpful man.

"Always willing to give advice and take the time to explain what needed to be done to put your car right. R.I.P Dennis."

Dennis is survived by his son Paul, daughter Jacqueline and his four grandchildren.

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