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Peterborough florist Gordon Peach dies aged 88
ONE of Peterborough's hardest working residents who supplied flowers for the Queen has died.
ONE of Peterborough's hardest working residents who supplied flowers for the Queen has died.Gordon Peach, who ran Peach's Florist and Seeds for 55 years, died on Monday aged 88.
Mr Peach took over the family business in 1955, and continued to work behind the counter until he was 80.
He was in charge of the popular florists in its heyday, when its customers included royalty and stars of the stage and screen.
He even gained the nickname Mr Cupid International, after receiving orders from every corner of the globe from husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends desperate to send their partners who were living in the city a romantic gift.
Mr Peach took over running the shop aged 35 and continued to work six days a week in the shop in Broadway until 1999, when the business was closed for the final time after trading for more than 150 years.
Before he became a florist, Mr Peach had served during the Second World War in the Royal Signals Regiment, taking part in the infamous Anzio landings in Italy.
But it was for his work at the florist that he will be most remembered in the city.
The shop was one of the most popular in Peterborough, from when it was opened in the 1850s by Mr Peach's great grandfather, Charles.
It was visited by screen legends Laurel and Hardy in 1952, and while Mr Peach worked at the shop Buckingham Palace would contact the shop to arrange posies of flowers for the Royal Party, including the Queen.
Today, John Peach, Mr Peach's son, said: "My father was well known in Peterborough, and the firm was a well known business in the area.
"He worked as a florist all his life, and was still going six days a week until he was 80, which is incredible.
"He liked talking about his exploits in the war, during which he was stationed in Africa and Europe, and was very active in the community."
John Peach, who is currently leader of Peterborough City Council, said that his father had inspired his route into politics.
He said: "He was a member of the chamber of trade and commerce, the rotary club and helped a number of organisations and groups in the community.
"He was always interested in politics, and while he was never involved as a councillor, we were always interested in the same things."
Gordon Peach was married to Kathleen, who died in 1992.
His funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 19, at All Saints Church, Park Road, at 1.30pm.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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