Tributes have been paid following the death of a Bucks shoe shop founder’s last surviving son.
Jim Wainwright died in Wycombe hospital on February 28 following a sudden stroke.
Born in Dinton in 1929, he joined Wainwright’s Shoe Shop at the age of 14, missing his last day at school as he was needed in the repair shop. He was often seen out on his bicycle delivering repairs.
In 1962, Jim and his brothers Derek and Ken took over the firm from their father Albert, who established it in 1919, and began building the shops into family outlets selling ladies’, men’s and children’s footwear.
He spent the rest of his working life in Risborough, continuing to carry out repairs in the shop until he was 80.
His family said: “His quick wit and dry sense of humour was a style of his own.
“There’s nothing more he enjoyed than a good discussion with customers.
“As a family we are left with many happy memories and been given a good example of how to lead a good life.”
One customer said: “He made shoe shopping fun and always spent time making sure the shoes were absolutely right.”
Jim married his wife Audrey in 1954 and they spent 53 years together until she died in 2009. They had four children and eight grandchildren.
His funeral is on Friday (March 15) at St Mary’s Church, Princes Risborough.