A man who helped older people enjoy their lives more and make friends has died.

John Naylor and his wife, Margo, set up the Manx Retirement Association in 1998.

In March of that year, they moved to the Isle of Man and realised that there appeared to be a need for a social group of older people for whom social events could be provided without any political or sectarian slant.

So later that year they set up the MRA.

Mr Naylor was to say on many occasions that the overall concept of the organisation was that ’there are no strangers at our meetings, only friends we have not met yet’.

The organisation very quickly became established as an organisation, with more than 350 members and numerous social events and activities. The MRA holds more than 250 events each year and members say it is a testament to John and to Margo that it has become so well established.

In 2018 the MRA celebrated its 20th anniversary and held a celebratory lunch at Woodbourne House in Douglas and presented Mr and Mrs Naylor with an anniversary cake.

Following a fall last year on return from Birmingham he was admitted to Noble’s Hospital and consequently into Springfield Grange where he died last week at the age of 90.

MRA Howard Parkin director said: ’John was a real gentleman, and we will miss him, he has left a legacy on the island, and whilst it is very sad time for all who loved and knew him, we know he is no longer suffering; he is at peace, and probably busy setting up an MRA up in heaven!’