Reg Ruff was a stalwart of many bands and musical groups in Northamptonshire.
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Man of Music - Reg Ruff who died on Sunday
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The percussionist, who died on Sunday, played with many groups including Rushden Town Band, Raunds Temperance Band, Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society, Rushden Operatic.
Mr Ruff, of Manor Way, Higham Ferrers, was also the secretary of the town's Pensioners Voice group and represented pensioners on countless occasions.
His son Chris said: "He was very well-known around Rushden and Higham Ferrers and could tell any number of stories about the local bands. He was an entertainer who liked to tell stories and he packed a lot in - right up to the end he was very active."
Reg was born and brought up in Ringstead. He moved to Higham Ferrers in the 1930s and after briefly working for Webb's Outfitters in Rushden when he left school, worked as an aircraft fitter during the Second World War.
After that he was an engineer in a number of companies in the area including Weetabix, and also pursued his hobbies which, as well as music, included football, cricket and occasionally motor racing.
Mr Ruff also gave talks on various subjects to many groups of pensioners in sheltered housing in and around Rushden and Higham Ferrers.
He leaves a wife, Olive, sons Chris and Tim, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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