After growing rapidly in the early years, thanks to associations with local trailer companies Triffitt of York and Easterby of Driffield, HFC expanded into the Czech Republic after a chance meeting with a director of a Prague engineering company.

Said Mr Sawyer: "It was Paul who really drove that end of the business, and it showed us both that being part of the European business community has great potential for growth.

"I knew Paul (pictured) for 32 years, and had total trust in his judgement. And even though he was semi-retired for the past two years due to ill health, he still had his finger on the pulse, and will be sorely missed."

While he was reluctant to be drawn on the future of the business – the executors of Mr Mack's estate were not due to read the will until today – he was confident it will continue to trade from its premises in Howden.

The pair started HFC at Cliffe in 1982 before moving to Blackhill Estate in North Duffield and later to Howden, from where they were a major supplier for many of the local farmers, as well as customers throughout the UK.

Husband of Anne and father of son Aiden, Mr Mack moved to Yorkshire in 1977 from Gateshead, and was for many years the village correspondent for the Selby Times after becoming closely involved in the life of the community.

Aiden said: "Dad was very proud of his Geordie roots and was a life-long supporter of the 'Toon' – Newcastle United.

"He moved down to his adopted Yorkshire in 1977, living first in South Milford and finally in Cawood. He loved being part of a village community after having lived the early part of his life in a city. He was keen to be involved in village life, making new friends easily. He never lost his Geordie accent but perhaps it had a bit of a Yorkshire twang to it!

"It was his family that meant the most to him. We have happy memories of a loving father and husband."