Peter FrankGAYLERAged 88 years of Ashbourne. Passed away peacefully on 28th April 2023. The beloved husband of Sylvia, dearly loved father of Brenda, Adrian, Wendy and Juliette, loving grandfather of Ted, Katie, Charles, Will, Martha and Hector and a dear friend to many. Peter had packed a huge amount into his life and had given more than most to those he loved and cared about. He had a sense of unswerving duty and commitment to helping others and through this he touched and brightened the lives of many, especially notable for his smart and stylish appearance. Peter was born and brought up in London, the eldest son of Leonard (Frank) and Dorothy Gayler. His younger brother Roger resides in Newport, Staffordshire, with his wife Jean. Peter was educated at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Harrow Weald. On passing the 11+ examination went on to Kilburn Grammar School in Brondesbury Road, Queens Park, where he applied himself to mathematics, and developed his passion for swimming and X-Country running on Hampstead Heath. On leaving school in the early 50's he started work as a bank clerk at National Provincial Bank, Aldwych Branch, which was the start of a lifelong association with the financial service sector. Peter was called up for National Service in 1953, aged 18, and like his father before him, he enrolled in the Royal Artillery. After basic training in Oswestry, North Wales, he passed his jumps course and gained his "Wings", going on to join the Airborne Brigade, in Aldershot. Shortly after joining the Airborne, he went on a 4-month operational tour of the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt. Peter was stationed at El-Ballah, some 20 miles from Fayed, further developing his sense of adventure, on various exercises in the desert. On finishing his 2 years National Service, Peter was discharged in August 1955, going on to serve a further 4 years as a reservist in the Territorial Army (T.A.), where on passing 'selection' he joined the elite 21 Special Air Service Regiment, 21 SAS (R), known as the Artists Rifles. He was away for many weekends on training exercises, in demand as an experienced wireless radio operator and even conducting night jumps over Denmark. In his own words "possibly not the best start to our married life". Peter left the T.A. in 1959 at the age of 24, already married and developing his career into the world of finance. In 1958 whilst at the National Provincial Bank, the bank bought a company, that following the nationalisation of the UK's railways, began financing cars and consumer durables, contributing to the rebuilding of post war Britain's industries. With a growing family and always an early adopter, he spotted the opportunity that this might offer him and jumped on the band wagon. At heart always the entrepreneur, in the early seventies Peter stepped away from the safety blanket afforded by corporate life, and established his own finance company, Darvell Finance. Affectionately known by his staff as Mr. G, Peter built enduring loyalty in his operational and sales teams in Uxbridge and Northolt, centred upon his principals of hard work, fairness, and fun. Dinner time stories sometimes included a vehicle being hot-wired and repossessed at night under the noses of the unpaying lessees. Peter observantly saw that times were changing in his industry, with rapid consolidation and so he sold the business. At the start of his retirement, Peter lived in Farnborough, where he and Sylvia spent 14 years. This provided him with the opportunity to rekindle his association with the Paras. He also spent many happy times with the local cycling club, playing golf and in the garden with family. He was a proud and active member of the Freemasons Ruislip Priory Lodge, where he held the positions of Master and treasurer for many years. Peter and Sylvia moved to live in Derbyshire where he made his home for the past 8 years. He threw himself into many aspects of Derbyshire life, often but not exclusively to do with golf. His life was always full. He continued to played golf, although he did lose the odd ball or two whenever a water obstacle was in line of sight. He remained an avid traveller ticking off many countries around the globe and continued a love of caravanning late into his life. Peter would have been the first to admit that none of this would have been possible without his beloved wife Sylvia, and the support that she gave him. He will forever be remembered as a courageous risk taker and by family, friends, and colleagues alike for his kindness, as 'a lovely, generous man'. Peter left an indelible mark, teaching us the importance of duty and sharing his passion for the great outdoors. Funeral Thursday 1st June. Service at St. Oswald's Church, Ashbourne at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please. Donations are for Alzheimer's Society. Enquiries to W. Jones & Son Funeral Directors Telephone: 01335 360319
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