A NEWPORT businessman who died aged 75 after a battle with pancreatic cancer will be remembered as an entrepreneur who built his family firm, his widow said.

Arthur George Mogford, from Langstone, was the retired managing director of food wholesaler I.G. Mogford & Sons Ltd.

Mr Mogford went to Stow Hill Secondary school, but left when he was 15 to work at his father’s corner shop.

His widow Jean, 74, said: "His father, Ivor, was an entrepreneur, and he turned the corner shop into a wholesale business."

When he was 18, Mr Mogford did his national service in the RAF, and while on leave he met Jean, his future wife. The couple had two daughters, Karen, 49, and Amanda, 45, and two grandchildren, Hannah, 14, and Alex, 12.

When he returned from his national service, Mr Mogford continued working with his father. The business soon became a family affair, with the entire family working for the company at one time or another.

From the corner shop the business expanded to a new property on Kelvedon Street, and in 1980 moved to larger premises in Agincourt Street.

In 2001, Mr Mogford and his brother Roger decided to retire, and sold the business to A. F. Blakemore & Sons Ltd.

After he retired, Mr Mogford travelled the world supporting the Welsh rugby team, and visited New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Los Angeles and New York.

Mrs Mogford said: "Arthur played himself down a lot, he wasn’t flash or anything like that. He wasn’t one to go around speaking about himself or the company, he was modest. Actually, he was always a bit of a joker."

John Gronow, a retired sales executive from Caldicot, worked with Mr Mogford. He said: "His company was a real family company, employing family members and local people. It was the only cash and carry in Newport for many years."

Mrs Mogford said: "We would like to thank the staff at Velindre, particularly those on the Princess Margaret ward, as they were wonderful."

Mr Mogford died on September 21 at Velindre Hospital. The funeral will be on Friday, October 12, with a service at St. John's Church, Maindee at 10am.