Painter and decorator Jimmy Keane has hung up his brushes after more than 50 years of bringing colour into the lives of householders.

Steven Raines, the man who has taken over his business, says he was a ’brilliant boss’.

No fewer than 33 of those years have been spent working at homes and businesses all over the island.

Self-confessed workaholic Mr Keane, who will be 69 next month, has finally decided to retire but he does not gloss over the fact that he’s awaiting an operation on his hip.

’I did not really want to stop’ admitted the popular tradesman, who lives in Douglas and counts himself as a traditional painter and decorator.

There’s not much that this man does not know about the trade. He started off working in Galway in his native Ireland before going to live and work in Jersey before settling in the Isle of Man in 1987.

He told Business News that 90% of the work he would get was from word of mouth from customers who had been pleased with the service he provided.

His work has mainly been residential but a few years ago he worked on the Empress Hotel, Douglas and the former Zurich building in Athol Street.

He is a former captain of Douglas Golf Club and has been a member of Peel Golf Club for the last 15 years.

He said: ’I have enjoyed every minute of the job. The customer is of course always right but I never minded offering my advice if sought. I must have worked in hundreds of homes of all shapes and sizes over the years.’

The business has now been taken over by Steven Raines who has worked with him for the last decade.

Mr Raines, 52, said he will continue to use Mr Keane’s white van, which he has bought, as he embarks on continuing the great service.

Mr Keane even placed an advertisement in Isle of Man Newspapers to let his customers know he was now retired but that Mr Raines, who is an experienced painter and decorator in his own right, has taken on the business.

Mr Raines, married to Sharon, lives in Jurby and is looking forward to the challenge.

He said Mr Keane ’has been a brilliant boss who has also been very fair as well.

’I can’t wait to get started.’