THE co-founder of a Worcester-based coach company has dies at the age of 77.

Gordon Price of Elgar Coaches passed away peacefully at Hereford County Hospital on Sunday, March 4.

Mr Price and his wife and business partner partner Janet Portlock were this year celebrating Elgar Coaches’ 20th year in business, travelling around the country doing coach hire for private groups, school contracts, holidays and day trips.

Mr Price was born in Shropshire, but went to school at Cutnall Green Primary School and then Bromsgrove High School.

He then joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice engineer, winning an apprentice of the year title during his service working on airframes.

After leaving the RAF, he got a job at Everton’s Coaches of Droitwich, and subsequently spent the rest of his life in the coach business.

He worked for companies including Morris Coaches, Swan Street Coaches, DRM and KCS Tours, before starting a partnership with Janet and forming Elgar Coaches, based at Cotheridge, near Worcester.

She said: “Gordon was a devoted family man who also had a love of motorbikes, with enough of his own to open a museum.

“At one time, he had 36, though he later sold them when he became ill.

“He was devoted to his family, with five children, two step-children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Gordon was a gentle giant of a man who was always happy to help anyone.

She has that she, son Nick and Elgar Coaches employees will continue to run the company as Mr Price had done.

The funeral will take place at Hereford Crematorium on Saturday, March 17, at 10am, with Mr Price making the journey in one of his own coaches.

Family flowers only are requested, but donations in Mr Price’s name can be made to the Oncology Trust Fund at Hereford County Hospital.