Born Keith Gerald Carpenter on 22 October 1945, the second son of Kathleen & Ernest William Henry Carpenter. He went to school in Cheltenham and served an apprenticeship in motor mechanics and car bodywork where he was known for his talent and skill of cars, specialising in re-building vehicles.

Keith moved with his parents and older brother Michael to Hagworthingham when he was 17 yrs old. They bought their first garage, petrol station and café.  The E W H Carpenter Group, became well-known for their accident and vehicle recovery for the Police. The Group went on to run a successful  Vauxhall and Bedford Agency for many years, going on to acquire other garages in Hagworthingham and the Boston Road Garage in Horncastle, where they also built a supermarket which led on to them setting up a national shop fitting business.

He met his wife Lesley 60 years ago, when she worked a Saturday job serving petrol at the Garage, whilst still at school. They were married 49 years.

Keith retired from garage work some years ago and initially took on some part-time driving for Hollyberry a local hatchery. He loved driving to Ireland, France, Germany & Poland delivering day old chicks. He claimed he could speak any language (with the help of the translate app on his phone!!)

Latterly he had been very active helping both his sons with projects, he was talented and skilled at all DIY jobs and was so happy when they asked him to help. He could fabricate and build nearly anything and he loved a challenge. He adored his sons and spent weekends away together with Dan and their shared interest of archaeology, WWII and snooker and with Matt, he shared a passion for shooting, cars and golfing weekends. In his younger days he owned a Triumph TR4, MGB’s, a Simitar, an Aston Martin and a Jensen Interceptor. This expensive hobby was curtailed when he had 2 children as they then quickly became the costly items!

Then grandsons came along, Matt & Jannette’s children, twins Alfie & Harry and Dan & Meg’s sons Ellis & Toby. Keith could not have been prouder; he had a very special relationship with them all and I am sure they can tell lots of stories.

Keith had a gift of making everyone feel special and was always so thrilled when he received a prize even when it was for the worst player at golf!

Everyone will have a story about Keith that they will remember him for, his sense of humour knew no bounds.

The family have been so touched by everyone’s memories and stories about him. A good life is a collection of happy memories and the ones we make together.

He admitted that he had had the most wonderful life and there is nothing he would have changed, he had been fit and well right up to the moment he died.

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