BEN GABRIEL has died. Guernsey’s longest serving Town trader passed away on Thursday morning aged 86 following a heart attack in the UK, where he was visiting friends.

Tributes poured in yesterday to the popular, kind and generous man, who started the Gabriel’s family business in Fountain Street in 1946.

On Tuesday, he was with staff behind the counter and the next day he left for the UK.

‘His kindness was one of his main attributes – he was always kind to everyone,’ said his son, Brian, yesterday.

‘His idea was not to make a sale in the shop, but to make the customer happy – that was dad’s life, to make others happy; the business was secondary.’

‘I admired his generosity to old people and his patience and he would often hand out free clothes to the less well-off.’

He believed his father would be remembered for always being at one of the shops.

‘Even at 86, he was coming in every day to see us and was always behind the counter.’

The mood at Gabriel’s was sombre yesterday as family and staff tried to come to terms with his sudden death.

Funeral arrangements are being finalised for his favourite church – St Peter Port Methodist.

All Gabriel’s shops will be closed on the day as a mark of respect.

Initially, Ben Gabriel started the family business with fruit and vegetables, which was seen as a brave move with the Markets opposite.

‘Although he was trained in clothing at his uncle’s, you could not buy clothes straight after the war, so he started fruit and veg and clothes about two years later.’

The business developed from there and the rest is history.

‘He was particularly proud and delighted to receive the Guernsey Press Customer Award about six years ago.

‘All of his family think that if we can all be just a portion of his character, then we will have achieved something. He is a huge man to look up to.’

Three phones were ‘red hot’ yesterday as islanders passed on their condolences to the family.

‘One of my memories was dad sweeping thick snow off the pavement outside the shop in 1947 with a shovel.

‘Dad was so delighted I got elected recently and was so proud of that. I will be doing my utmost for dad as well as the people of Guernsey. Dad had always wanted to be a States member but felt that the business always came first.’

He was keen to assure customers that Gabriel’s family business would continue.

‘Nothing changes – very little will alter. Why change a winning formula.’