THRE has been much sadness within the community of Looe at the news of the sudden death of 'local boy' David Pengelly, which occurred in the town on Thursday last, with his only son Shaun at his side.

From and old Looe family, he was the younger son of the well known fisherman, the late Alfred John Pengelly, and has played a large part in the life of the town, which will sorely miss him.

Paying a personal tribute, his close friend Craig Rich spoke of the tremendous shock he and his wife Pat had felt at the news.

Craig said they had moved to Looe 11 years ago and the first person they met was David. 'I went along to the Sailing Club and asked to join and he was the first person I met and on the spot he proposed my membership' he said.

Craig said they became firm friends, and along with David's wife Diana had shared holidays together, and they were the first to be put on the guest list of their daughters' weddings.

'He was a close and valued friend and Pat and I thought the world of him' added Craig. 'He was an amazing character, very generous and always pleased to see us.

He was hardly ever serious and was quite a comedian. I personally feel that Looe will be a totally different place without him'.

David was 70, and had recently been thanked by the crew of Looe inshore lifeboat, at a special retirement presentation, for his work for them as volunteer Launching Authority over the past 10 years.

Although never a fisherman like his father, and his older brother Terry, he still took an active interest in the working of the port, being at one time a harbour commissioner, also serving as chairman.

He was a trustee of Looe Sailing Club, a founder member of Looe Lions, and q was a Freemason, being a member of St Anne's Lodge 970, and was at one time an East Looe Town Trust trustee.

Commissioner Mike Soady, said he had known David all his life.

' I feel really sad' he said, 'it feels like another brick has been taken out of the wall in the Pengelly family tradition, as being such a big part of Looe.

'On behalf of the harbour commissioners we send our thoughts and condolences to Diana and all the family.

David was of course well known for his business, Dave's Diner on the quayside, which years before had started out as Harry's Cockle Bar, and visitors as well as locals will miss his presence there, for he was a popular person with all who came to know him.

For all his great input into the fabric of Looe, David was foremost a family man, and doted upon his two small grand daughters, Paris and Annabel. As well as his brother Terry, he also has a sister Julie.