The village of Crondall has been left stunned by the sudden death of popular local builder Gary ‘Batman’ Lambert who died on Friday, August 3, aged 62.

Father-of-two Gary had lived in the Crondall and Ewshot area for more than 30 years where he had a wide network of friends and business acquaintances.

He died from a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his truck which was parked outside the home he owned with his ex-wife Donna Comfort in Heath Lane, Ewshot.

He leaves two daughters Lillie, 22, and Mollie, 19, and his 10-month-old grand-daughter Rose.

Donna said: “Although Gary and I were divorced we remained the best of friends and we were always there to help each other. He would come to the house every day to see me and the girls who he absolutely adored.

“Since the birth of our grand-daughter Rose last year Gary would also go to Lillie’s home each day as he simply doted on the baby.

“Gary was probably the most ‘un-PC’ guy you could meet but he was loved by everybody who knew him. He was very black and white, a very forthright and honourable man who would do anything for anybody.

“If anyone needed help or assistance Gary would always be there offering help and practical support. He was just an immensely kind, popular and very likeable guy.”

Gary was a familiar figure at many local public houses where he had so many friends. For years he was a regular at The Plume of Feathers in Crondall where he helped the pub raise more than £90,000 in five charity auctions for various good causes including Great Ormond Street Hospital where Gary’s youngest daughter Mollie was treated as a child.

Julian Badgery, landlord of The Plume of Feathers, said: “We were all so shocked to learn of Gary’s death. He was such a likeable and fun character and a wonderful friend who was very kind-hearted.

“Whenever the village put on any fundraising events or charity auctions Gary, who we all knew as ‘Bat’, would be the first to help out. He loved the village and loved stopping to chat to people in the village.

“On the day of his death his girls put a message up on Facebook inviting people to join them at The Plume to celebrate Gary’s life. The pub was absolutely packed. So many people wanted to come along to pay their own tribute.

“There were tears but also lots of smiles and laughter too as people swapped their own special memories of ‘Bat’. It’s a bit of a cliché but they really did break the mould. Gary was totally unique and we will miss him.”

On the day of his death Gary was due to take family and friends racing to the Glorious Goodwood meeting which he attended every year.

A funeral service will be held at All Saints Church, Crondall on Friday, August 31, followed by committal ceremony at Aldershot Crematorium.