The village of Brough has lost one of its oldest residents, businessman Tom Wilkinson, aged 92.
He was born Thomas Dodd Wilkinson lll in the village’s Bridge Street, where he lived all his life.
He attended school in Brough until the age of 14.
He then started working in the family firm of outfitters, started six generations earlier in 1810, with his father Tom senior and other tailors employed by the company.
His apprenticeship was cut short when he was called up for national service, which saw him based near Selby, North Yorkshire, guarding German and Italian prisoners of war.
After three years he returned to the outfitters and served out his apprenticeship.
In 1954 he became partner with his father and together they pushed the business to further success, establishing contracts with all the major shooting estates in the area to kit out their gamekeepers.
This continued until 2019, with the firm being particularly well known for the quality of its breeches.
From the mid-1980s Tom ran the business on his own. He measured all his customers but had the suits made in Leeds, under his close supervision.
He had a fondness for Leeds, travelling to and fro for more than 50 years for shop stock, sometimes twice a week.
Also in 1954, Tom married Elsie Grieve, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, and together they went on to have four sons, Tony, Ian, Stuart and Mark.
Sadly, Elsie died at the age of 39, leaving Tom and his sister Ida to bring up the boys.
In the sporting world, Tom attended horse race meetings across northern England and followed it closely on television.
He also played and followed snooker, and in the mid-1950s became Westmorland snooker champion.
His other main interest was freemasonry, with which he was heavily involved for 67 years.
He was a member of 15 lodges, attaining grand rank in three orders, and was active throughout Cumberland and Westmorland province and beyond.
His business ventures finally came to an end in March, 2019, after 77 years of continuous work. His father had worked for 72 years.
This remarkable longevity was made possible by his energy, tailoring skills, passion for meeting and helping people, love of travelling and good health.
While still in business, Tom spent the last six years living with Stuart, his wife Debi and their girls in Church Brough.
Tom died peacefully at home with his family. He was borne into church and to his grave by his four sons.
Stuart said: “Dad was always on the move even at 90, both in business and socially, but always returned to the place he loved.
“He was a true ‘son of Brough’.”
He is survived by his sons Stuart, Church Brough; Ian, Winton; Tony, London; and Mark, Solihull. He also had 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
