TRIBUTES have been paid to former GP and president of the Basingstoke Lions Club David Side, who died in his sleep last week.

Dr Side was a prominent and popular figure who practised at New Street Surgery which later moved to Bramley’s Grange.

The 88-year-old moved to Basingstoke with his wife Margaret in 1960 after having several locum jobs across the south.

While studying medicine at St John’s College, Cambridge he rowed for Lady Margaret boat club before completing his training at Westminster Hospital.

“He was a wonderful man,” Mary Watson, his daughter, said.

“He was a hero to my children but perhaps most importantly to my son Christopher after his dad passed away – he helped with all the man talk.

“My mother and him loved to go away on cruises and he said he has seen everything he ever wanted to see and was happy with everything he has done.”

David worked tirelessly in Basingstoke as one of the town’s on-call doctors and also helped with the Shrubbery Maternity Home until his retirement in 1987.

Mary said: “Every year he would work on-call on Christmas Day and I remember him taking me to see the Christmas babies or the ladies at the maternity home and then going to the GP led Basing Road Hospital where he would carve a turkey for them.

“That was him. He would do anything for anyone.”

Former midwife Beryl Uren said: "David gave so much to the community – he gave joy, love and encouragement to all the expectant and delivered mothers."

“I am sure that there will be many mothers who will be sad to read that he is no longer with us.”

In retirement David remained active; combining his free time to continue his work with the Lions, joining Deane Probus and also completing an Open University course in humanities.

He was with the Basingstoke Lions for 48 years and was rewarded for his services with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in March last year.

A spokesperson for The Probus club of Deane said: “The Probus club of Deane, was set-up in 1991, and David was a founding member.

“He made a great contribution to the club and became president in 1998-99.

“His enthusiasm for the post was evident, and he continued to be a member of the Lions club and Deane Probus until his health started to fail last year.”

One example of David’s generosity was typified when after winning a brand new Mini in a raffle in the 1960s, he donated the car to the Lions so they could raffle it off.

All the proceeds went to setting up Basingstoke’s first steam engine festival.

“David was no fan of the world wide web - warmth, wit and wisdom were his touchstones and it is for these qualities he will be remember,” Tony Bamberger, president of Basingstoke Lions said.

“He played a major role in identifying the need for defibrillators in Basingstoke ambulances and he was instrumental in fund raising projects for St Michael’s Hospice, Naomi House and Dove House School.

“He will be sadly missed not only by his fellow Lions, but also by many of our supporters.”

In his spare time he enjoyed the theatre and was often at the Haymarket supporting the local amateur productions.

David was also a governor for a number of schools including Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College and Maple Ridge Primary School.

Former Maple Ridge headmaster Ewart Smith said: “David was a governor of Maple Ridge School for many years and chairman for most of that time. The headmaster at the time said his help and advice was always available and valuable.”

David is survived by his wife, daughter and two grandchildren.

He died on February 4 and his funeral will be held at Basingstoke Crematorium at 2.45pm on February 19, followed by a reception at the Hilton Hotel.