OBITUARY - Farewell to a 'true gentleman' - Friday, October 26, 2012, Gloucestershire

Businessman, great-grandfather and "real gentleman" Mick Withey has been laid to rest only a stone's throw from his beloved home at Callowell in Stroud.  Retired managing director of stationers and print firm James and Owen Mr Withey, 90, died at Northfield House care home in Stroud on October 8. ?

 Mick Withey volunteered in the Second World War, joined the Royal Corps of Signals and served mostly in India.
His funeral service was held at St Paul's Church, in Whiteshill, on Tuesday and where he was also buried. Regular worshipper Mr Withey was a sidesman at St Paul's.

Mr Withey, whose son Peter now continues the family business in London Road, Stroud, moved to Callowell House in his first year of life. He married his wife, Kaye, in 1953.

Educated at Miss Brinkworth's in Folly Lane, Stroud, and later at boarding school in Devon, he worked first at the former Hoffman's engineering works at Stonehouse.

He volunteered in the Second World War, joined the Royal Corps of Signals and served mostly in India, family friend and employee Colin Prockter told mourners at the funeral.  Mr Prockter, an actor who has appeared on TV's Coronation Street, said it was after he was demobbed, Mr Withey learned his trade as a master printer in London. He then joined his father at James and Owen, becoming MD in 1957.

Mr Prockter said he felt "truly at home" at Callowell House.  "He had a wonderful sense of mischief about him. His eyes twinkled when up to something that tickled him," he said.  Long after retirement Mr Withey maintained an interest in James and Owen and was regularly seen every day walking along on his way to "just help out".

Mr Withey moved to Northfield House due to ill health in later years.  Staff at the home spoke of him as "real gentleman".  He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren