RETIRED York railwayman Dennis Elmer has died at the age of 82.

Mr Elmer, who worked at the former York Carriageworks for 48 years, was born and bred in the city.

He spent his early childhood at Milner Street, Acomb, then his family moved to Boroughbridge Road when he was 12 - where he lived for the next 59 years. For the last years of his life he lived in the Foxwood Lane area.

He started at the carriageworks in 1935 as an apprentice brass finisher, soon qualifying as a Grade One brass finisher and working as a craftsman for 48 years.

During that period he was treasurer of the Number Three branch of the National Union of Railwaymen for several years, was the Sick Club representative and was also a first aider.

From 1940 to 1946 he served with the RAF in India.

He married his wife, Sheila, in 1952, and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in March.

He enjoyed an active retirement, riding his bicycle until he was 81, and keeping up his craftsmanship, most recently working on a Victorian House with his daughter, Carol.

Last September he started learning to play the keyboards at night classes, and had a lifelong love of music and a large record collection.

He also loved shopping, travel and sailing and enjoyed a family holiday on the River Thames for his 80th birthday.

He was a member of the Guild of Freeman of York, a position he inherited by patrimony, and his family can trace the name Elmer back to 1800. He was also a member of York and District Family History Society, Acomb Local History Society and York Architectural and York Archaeological Society.

Sheila said he had been a gentleman, a man of dignity and integrity, who always had a smile on his face and was proud to be from York.

Mr Elmer also leaves two daughters, Kathryn and Carol.

A graveside service will be held at Fulford Cemetery on Monday at 1.15pm, followed by a Thanksgiving Service at Lidgett Grove Methodist Chapel at 2pm.

Updated: 08:52 Friday, August 02, 2002