THE funeral of Patrick Desmond, a retired Worcester solicitor, former city councillor, school governor and musician, is due to take place today.

Mr Desmond, aged 88, of Windmill Close, Barbourne, died on Wednesday, July 19, from a liver tumour.

His son, Adrian, said although his father was born in London he was proud of his Worcester connection.

Describing his father, Mr Desmond, aged 51, said: "He had a very wicked sense of humour and he was very good at giving advice.

"He was a great musician and had a massive love of classical music and he could tell a very good story."

Patrick Desmond was born on November 14, 1917, in Wanstead, London.

He qualified as a solicitor as the Second World War broke out and joined the Royal Navy and served for four years as an asdic operator, which involved the tracking of German U-boats. In 1946 he married his childhood sweetheart, Doreen Clandillon.

The couple had five children - Denis, Mary, who died in 1982 from a brain tumour, Angela, Adrian and Peter.

Mr Desmond's career in law saw him take over a practice in Pierpoint Street, off Foregate Street, but following a partnership with Cyril Holder it was renamed Desmond & Holder. He retired from practising law in 1987. A devout Roman Catholic, Mr Desmond was an active member of St George's Roman Catholic Church, Sansome Place.

He was also a member of Catholic organisations as a Grand Knight of the Knights of St Columbia, president of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, member of the Catenian Society and a founder member of the Worcester Circle of the Newman Association.

Mr Desmond was a keen viola player who played in three orchestras including the Worcester Symphony Orchestra and served as city councillor for the St Peter's Ward in the 1950s.

He was also president of the Worcester Law Society and a governor at St George's Catholic Primary School, Thorneloe Walk, Barbourne, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, in Timberdine Avenue, Cherry Orchard, and the nearby St Mary's Convent School.