TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Rotarian and pharmacist following his death to coronavirus.

Bruce Hammond, 89, died on April 6 after battling the disease.

He and wife Angela had difficulty leaving a cruise ship early, only managing once they docked in Cuba.

On returning home, Angela went into hospital with Covid-19, recovered and came home. Grandfather-of-five Bruce followed her into hospital, but sadly passed away.

“He will be very sadly missed by us all,” said the Rotary Club of Aireborough, where he was a member.

Paying tribute, they described him as a “thorough gentleman and compassionate Rotarian”.

His first pharmacy was in Victoria Road, Guiseley, before he eventually moved to Otley Road and on his retirement, he sold the shop to Boots.

He joined the Rotary Club of Aireborough for the first time in the early 1980s, before moving to Bingley Airedale, an evening club, due to the pressure of work.

Bruce rejoined Aireborough in April 1996 and put himself forward for the Presidency for the 2006/7 stint.

The club said: “He served on and contributed to the Club’s International Committee.

“He was ever supportive but always prepared to rein in members ready to overspend on budgets or debate the merits of a cause.

“He stayed interested in learning, arriving late at lunchtime meetings when attending Workers’ Educational Association courses relating to Yorkshire topics like castles or families.

“In meetings his humour was dry and carefully enunciated. He loved to seek clarification from speakers on some point they had mentioned, normally wittily.

“In meetings he always came up with something good to talk about, ready to join in wherever and whenever he could.”

The club added: “He had a family tradition of taking children and grandchildren to a Boxing Day pantomime in Harrogate, booking early to ensure taking up the whole of the front row.

“He was also a regular attender with Angela at Scarborough Rotary Conferences.”

Bruce was said to have be “very knowledgeable with a quirky sense of humour”.

Manoj Joshi, current Rotary District Governor, said he was shocked to hear of the distressing news of Bruce’s death.

He said he would “mourn the loss of a thorough gentleman and a compassionate Rotarian”.