EXETER'S best-known bootmaker and shoe repairer, Cyril Saunders, has died aged 100.
wholesale colthingHe opened his shop at 32, Cowick Street, St Thomas in 1936 and for more than 40 years helped keep generations of city residents well shod.
Recalling the many happy years he spent there, Cyril said on his 100th birthday: "I used to employ about six fellows and did repairs for all the districts in the surrounding area. We charged a shilling for stitching on a sole.
"It was wonderful -- I would not have stayed there as long otherwise.
"In the end, when I was 70, my son said: 'It isn't fair on mum, you've got to get out', so I did."
Mr Saunders was born in Winkleigh, North Devon, the youngest of seven brothers and four sisters. He grew up in a happy family spoilt by his elder siblings.
After serving an apprenticeship as a bootmaker with his elder brother, Joe, he moved to Exeter with another brother, Fred, to work at Tuckers Shoe Repairers on the corner of Fore Street and Bartholomew Street. He lived in lodgings in Drakes Road, St Thomas, with Maud West, who became a lifelong friend and surrogate mother.
fake rolexShe introduced Cyril to Kathleen, one of the daughters of her friend, Ida, who lived in Rugby Road, St Thomas, thus beginning a relationship that was to last 65 years. The pair were married in 1939.
A lifelong fan of Exeter City and a season ticket holder for well over 50 years, Cyril enjoyed an active life. He built his own aviary and kept birds for 60 years. In 1962, he took up keeping tropical fish -- building his own tanks.
For some years, he was the chairman of the Exeter and District Aquarist Society and won prizes for his fish in local and national competitions.
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When Kathleen died in 1995, Cyril was grateful for the support he received from Age Concern and regularly ate lunch at the organisation's Cowick Street headquarters. It was also where he met Phyllis. The two were together for 10 years and shared their life with Jackie the dog.
The funeral service will be at St Thomas Parish Church on Wednesday, January 6, at noon.
DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES OF CYRIL SAUNDERS? PHONE OUR NEWSDESK ON 01392 442239
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