A former agricultural adviser who was ’well-loved’ in the farming community and island churches has died at the age of 89.

A service was held for John Harris of Ballaugh at Sandygate Methodist Chapel, near St Jude’s, where he had worked ’tirelessly’ to keep it going along with Orrisdale Chapel near Kirk Michael.

Mr Harris died in Brookfield Nursing Home, in Ramsey.

His daughter, Shakira Perry, said: ’He was a true gentleman, a man who spent his time loving and serving people, always seeing the best in everyone and helping anyone who needed it.’

Born in Lessingham, in Norfolk, he and his sisters Rosalind and Margaret grew up on a farm with 64 acres.

’John always loved the natural world and would go off on his bike roaming the nearby fields, woods and beach whenever he could,’ Rosalind said.

After completing his National Service in the Air Force, he later graduated with a first honours degree in agriculture at Reading University where he met his late wife Doris - who he loved dearly all his life, the family said.

He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an agricultural adviser. It was a role that took him and his family - including five daughters Sarah, Rachel, Shakira, Joanna and Bridget - to Shropshire, Lincolnshire, Tanzania, Yorkshire and finally the Isle of Man in 1969.

Working for the then Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as an assistant agricultural adviser, initially on a three-year secondment, he ended up staying for 23 years.

During this time, he became well known for his contributions to Manx farming as well as for his genuine concern for everyone he dealt with. He worked closely with the Manx Grassland Society, teaching the weekly agricultural classes for young people and impressed judges with his exhibits at agricultural shows.

John was also cherished in a number of island churches, including Jurby Church. He was described by friends and family as a ’true Christian’ and a ’staunch supporter’ of Sandygate and Orrisdale chapels having ’never missed a service’ and would lead sermons, harvest festivals and Oei’ll Voirreys.

’All his life he loved to sing and some of his happiest times were singing hymns at various local chapels,’ Rosalind said. ’He loved the island and its people. John was born in Norfolk, but he belonged in the Isle of Man.’

What his family will remember most is his great sense of humour and big heart.

John Mellors, his grandson, said: ’As I started to grow up, what I realised was that actually it wasn’t him being this "outdoors man" that marked him out, but his kindness.

’It wasn’t the variety of odd jobs he’d do for people that made him unusual, but rather that he would do them for people who were often virtual strangers for no other reason but out of love for those around him.’

His daughter Bridget added: ’He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was cheerful, funny and kind, quirky and unique.

’He is greatly missed by his family and many friends - we feel privileged to have been part of his life.’

John leaves behind his sister, five daughters, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.