THE president of the Pinner Association has died after decades of service to the community.

David Rowlands, who has been at the top of the residents' group since 1997, died peacefully at Northwick Park Hospital on Tuesday, May 25, aged 89.

Wife Veronica Bruce-Rowlands, 51, said: “He was such a wonderful man, very thoughtful and selfless. Always thinking about others without thinking of himself.

“He was very modest about everything. I've been getting letters from people I don't know telling me how he touched their lives because he's been in Pinner 40 odd years. He's been one of the stalwarts of the community.”

Mr Rowlands, of Paines Close, was well known at Harrow Council as well as in the community and chaired the authority's conservation area advisory committee.

He also chaired the Pinner Association's planning subcommittee and the highways committee and members say he was always available for people when they needed him.

The group was due to put on a concert on the day of his 90th birthday, on August 15 this year.

Mr Rowlands was known for his charity work, especially with the Harrow Heritage Trust and St Luke's Hospice, as well as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

He was married to his first wife Iris for more than 50 years until her death last year, and they enjoyed going on cruises together.

His funeral is tomorrow at Pinner Methodist Church, in Love Lane, at 12.15am. Mrs Bruce-Rowlands invited those who knew him to attend.

She invited any donations to be made to the SSAFA through the funeral directors, Bradley and Jones, at 7 Love Lane, Pinner, HA5 3EE.