Moving tributes to much-loved resort businessman

Colin Bamberger, 84, of Fabric8, was airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack outside the Hamilton Road shop. He died the following day.

It has now emerged he donated his two corneas and was also involved in selling stamps for the charity, Lucia.

Mr Bamberger raised thousands from the venture which has helped to start building work on a school in Ethiopia.

Mr Bamberger’s wife, Zena, of Trimley St Mary, said: “He has raised about �7,000 which has made it possible to make a school out there – it’s quite a legacy.”

Mr Bamberger started work at Dainty Homes in the late 1940s and soon became the owner of the store. Dainty Homes eventually became the Remnant Shop and is now known as Fabric8.

“He was honest, he wasn’t bad tempered, he was a kind man, very intelligent and thoughtful,” said Mrs Bamberger.

“He was a very caring family man and we all miss him terribly, I feel as if there is a piece of me missing.”

The firm was founded in 1944 by his father and mother before Mr Bamberger took charge of the shop, which once stood outside the taxi rank in Hamilton Road.

The business moved its premises several times before relocating to its current site near Bent Hill, where it offers a number of fabrics, haberdashery and other items. There is also a shop in Colchester.

Despite being past retirement, Mr Bamberger would go into the shop on most days.

His son, Robert, the managing director of Fabric8, added: “He was a good jolly soul, had a great sense of humour and he always made people smile.”

Mr Bamberger’s funeral will be at the Seven Hills Crematorium tomorrow.