Mr Dugdale, born 71 years ago at the Ship Inn, Water Lane, was a stalwart of the town, well known for campaigning with other long-time residents for a museum and heritage centre.

Fellow campaigner and Hemingbrough parish councillor Roland Chilvers (pictured with his friend) said Mr Dugdale's efforts to raise awareness of the need for such a centre meant the campaign, which might now apply for Lottery funding, is still very much alive.

Meanwhile, Selby district councillor Jude Thurlow, who had known Mr Dugdale since their days as pupils at the Free Grammar School at Drax in the 1950s, said his old friend had been a mainstay of the Olde Selebians.

He added: "He died shortly after we presented him with a carriage clock in recognition of his years as the treasurer of the fraternitie, and he will be sadly missed. He was a dour, dry-humoured Yorkshireman, but he had a big heart."

Mr Dugdale died at Denison House. He leaves a younger brother Peter and his two children Victoria and Simon.

Peter Dugdale said: "He was 13 years older than me, and was what everyone would want from an older brother."

He added Geoffrey was a keen woodworker, who as a young man, had eschewed the offer of a job at Cochranes shipyard in Selby to become a joiner, later opening his own DIY store in the town with partner Frank Holcroft.

He said after taking early retirement at 40 and full retirement at 50, his brother devoted the later years of his life to researching the history of the town and that of his family.

Mr Dugdale's funeral will be held tomorrow at 11am at Selby Abbey, with donations shared between the abbey and The Stroke Association.