HUNDREDS paid their last respects to Ben Gabriel yesterday morning. A service of thanksgiving was held at St Peter Port Methodist Church, which he regularly attended in his earlier and later years. He died in the UK on 13 May, aged 87.

Gabriel’s shops were closed yesterday as a mark of respect to the proud Methodist and astute businessman. Other Fountain Street businesses, including Trim Dog Pet Centre, also closed.

Mourners had fond memories of a man who preserved the Guernsey way of life.

Friend Don Mahy said: ‘He was a very remarkable man who will be remembered for many years.’

Former Notre Dame du Rosaire headmistress Sister Marie-Paul added: ‘He had a catching smile and was a very welcoming person.’

She said he was very generous towards every function at the school and Notre Dame church.

Deputy Peter Roffey said: ‘I just remember him as a thoroughly good man. My knowledge of him was not just as a States member but as a very young man. He was as polite to me when I was a long-haired young hippy as when I was a member of the States. He was a thoroughly decent sort.’

Deputy David Grut was another to pay tribute.

‘He was one of the last of the truly generous men in our community who gave so much of himself both financially and with his own time and care to other people. He was a true gentleman,’ he said.

Town deputy John Gollop said Mr Gabriel was renowned not only for his business acumen but his generosity as a Town trader in selling a high-quality range of products, which often benefited people who did not have much money.

‘He provided a service which suited people who did not necessarily have much money to spend. He will be much missed as somebody who proved you can run a successful business without changing every five minutes or having to use gimmicks or UK chain-store styles.

‘He was also a great campaigner for high-quality health services in the geriatric field and used his abilities to campaign on other people’s behalf to ensure Guernsey had a wider range of geriatric care for the future,’ he added.

The Rev. Ian Suttie conducted the service, which included a tribute from Dave Falla.

Mr Falla told those present that it was a privilege and honour to be asked by the Gabriel family to pay tribute but, he said, no words could do justice to a man whom many referred to as ‘a man in a million’.

Several hymns were sung, including In Heavenly Love Abiding, What a Friend We Have in Jesus and There is a Green Hill Far Away. There were also prayers and readings.

Rev. Suttie said that Mr Gabriel chose the hymns himself, which summed up his faith.

‘The church remembers him particularly for his involvement in youth work and setting up the youth club. Clearly, there are still people involved in that who remember what he did with thankfulness,’ he said.

‘He kept closely in touch with all that was going on with the life and work of the church and with a lot of people who he cared for. He was a great supporter of the church in all sorts of ways.’

Several wreaths were laid outside the church prior to the service and afterwards the hearse and funeral cars drove past the Gabriel’s shops as a mark of respect to their founder.

Interment followed at Le Foulon Cemetery.