THE daughter of a popular sportsman and singer has paid tribute to the father she has described as a wonderful man and a true gentleman.

Ros Hollands, 64, lost her dad Norman ‘Boxer’ New last week and has shared the many happy memories of him.

Norman, known to all as ‘Boxer’, for his skills in the ring, died at the Great Western Hospital last Thursday just a couple of weeks after turning 90.

He lived in Swindon all his life and was a popular character around the town.

He acquired the nickname Boxer while on National Service as a young man. His boxing skills were much admired and the nickname stuck.

“He was a keen footballer and boxer in his Army days,” said Ros, who lives in Westlea. “Football has been his life, he loved it.”

He married his first wife Freda in 1949 and the couple moved to Devon Road. A year later their son Martin was born and Ros followed in 1952.

Throughout his life Norman worked closely with the local community. Ever keen to part with his sporting knowledge, he ran a football team at Ferndale Youth Centre, which had considerable success.

He worked most of his life at cigarette factory WD and HO Wills. He was the union rep there and people always knew they could trust him to help them.

Ros said: “I don’t think he ever lost an appeal. People always went to him if they had any problems and he would always sort them out.

“He had a way with words and could easily connect with people.”

Norman used to love singing and was always at his happiest serenading crowds in the pubs and clubs.

He was also a keen amateur dramatist who directed many a show-stopping pantomime in his time.

“He liked the music of the Rat Pack and his favourite songs were If I Ruled The World and The Goodbye Song from the musical the White Horse Inn,” said Ros.

Norman tragically lost Freda to cancer in 1977 and married his second wife Jean a few years later. Jean died last November.

Ros said: “The thing about dad that I’m most proud of is the fact that he was a complete teetotaller.

“He never tasted a drop of alcohol in his life. I don’t think there are many people in this world who can say that.”

Norman’s funeral will take place on March 17 at Kingsdown Crematorium at 1.30pm.

All who knew him are welcome to attend and donations will go to GWH’s Brighter Futures appeal.