The family of a former Godmanchester resident have paid tribute to an "absolute legend" who "would do anything for anyone".

Danny Reid of Godmanchester passed peacefully in his sleep aged 87 after bravely fighting a long-term illness.

His family have expressed "immense" gratitude for the care and support he was given at the Dialysis Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Danny was highly respected and well-known to many in the town for his extensive voluntary work, which included visits to the elderly, and a career as a door-to-door salesman that spanned 55 years.

Born in London on December 13 1936, he was evacuated from London to Stukeley when he was five-years-old during the Second World War.

Danny was highly respected by and well-known to many in Godmanchester. Danny was highly respected by and well-known to many in Godmanchester. (Image: The Reid/Glynn family)

He arrived, aged five, with his brother Derek, aged two, mum Josephine and dad Patrick.

While his mother moved back to London after the War, Danny and his father moved to Godmanchester where he would remain for the next 82 years. 

In 1948, aged 12, Danny would meet his wife Hazel while regularly visiting her in Pipers Lane, Godmanchester.

In 1955, the pair married went on to have three children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with another due in November.

Hazel told The Hunts Post it was a marriage that stood the test of time. 

"He was a marvellous man, but I always remember when we were young not being very keen on him at first," she said.

"But love blossomed in the end and he was one of the best husbands anybody could have ever had, and he always looked after me and the children."

Danny and Hazel went on to have three children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with another due in November.Danny and Hazel went on to have three children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with another due in November. (Image: The Reid/Glynn family)

At the age of 17, Danny joined the Army and was stationed at Northampton barracks where he would hitchhike to and from Godmanchester to visit Hazel every Wednesday and Sunday without fail.

Aged 29, he began working in a factory, Victaulic in St Peter's Road, Huntingdon, when he wanted a change.

Stephen Reid, Danny's son, explains he had always wanted to work for himself and be his own boss and take responsibility for his own destiny.

He said: "He didn't want to be stuck in a factory, but branching out on his own was a big risk as he would be self-employed.

"However, selling was his thing and he was so good at it that he could sell himself with his unique customer-friendly selling style."

Danny and Hazel celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2015. Danny and Hazel celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2015. (Image: The Reid/Glynn family)

Danny would go onto sell for Kleen-e-ze, which was was founded by an Englishman, Harry Crook who saw the door-to-door idea when he lived in America.

After just three years in the job, he was one of the top Kleen-e-ze salesman in the country and won numerous awards including ‘Salesman of the Year’ twice.

In 1968, he sold £6,203 worth of goods - mostly at less than 50 pence a time, which in today's money would equate to £72,000.

Danny sold their products for around 15 years and then, 34 years ago, changed to selling clothes which he bought from London.

In addition to his career as a salesman, Danny bred a number of Collie dogs and competed in dog shows up and down the country.

He even came seventh place at Crufts in the 1950s with his dog ‘Prince’ who won numerous other awards over the years.

Danny bred a number of Collie dogs and regularly competed in dog shows.Danny bred a number of Collie dogs and competed in a number of dog shows. (Image: The Reid/Glynn family)

However, as Stephen explains, it was a love for his family that drove Danny "each and everyday".

Debbie Glynn his daughter and Stephen both added: "He was a legend and 100 per cent genuine, but our dad was a family man.

"That's the one thing that if you ask anybody they will remember him for. He would always talk about his family and he was so proud of everyone through from his kids to his grandkids.

"Dad's life was his family and he was the perfect role model for me to understand family values which I hope I have passed onto my children and grandchildren."