Tributes have been paid to a “gregarious” grandfather who ran a well-known restaurant that was open for 50 years.

It was announced that Pepe Vazquez, who opened The Peppermill in New Parade, Chorleywood in the late 60s, died on March 15.

The funeral for the father-of-two and grandfather-of-three will be held today (April 6) at the Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham at 2.45pm.

Watford Observer: Pepe and his wife Suzanne at a Manchester United game.Pepe and his wife Suzanne at a Manchester United game. (Image: Vazquez family)

Born in La Coruna, Spain in 1934, Pepe later moved to England at the age of 27 in 1961.

He married Suzanne in 1964 before settling in Chorleywood.

His son, Andre Vazquez, 53, described his father as “very gregarious, a fun-loving individual who gave his children and grandchildren, who he doted on, lots of love”.

Having ran the restaurant before retiring 24 years ago, when Andre took over, Pepe had made a long-lasting impression on the community.

Watford Observer: Pepe with two of his grandchildren Freddie and Gabriella.Pepe with two of his grandchildren Freddie and Gabriella. (Image: Vazquez family)

Andre said: “He liked to chat with people and made lots of friends from working in the restaurant.

“After he retired he would walk up and down the high street on his morning walks to buy the papers and coffee and he would stop to say hello to people.”

Pepe’s influence in the community is long-lasting as he helped secure the football ground for Chorleywood Youth.

He also took part in a charity walk to raise money for the club.

Watford Observer: Pepe and Suzanne with their daughter Felicity Pepe and Suzanne with their daughter Felicity (Image: Vazquez family)

Andre said: “It opened in the 80s and the club house is still there. It will keep going and flourish.”

Long before Macmillan coffee mornings were up and running, Pepe, would hold events at the restaurant to raise money for the charity.

Of his father’s passing, Andre said: “It is a huge gap in our lives, but it’s the way things go when you get into your 80s.

Watford Observer: Pepe was known as a 'fun-loving' grandfatherPepe was known as a 'fun-loving' grandfather (Image: Vazquez family)

“The grandchildren aren’t particularly great, prone to upset and are struggling a little bit, as to be expected.”

After having such an impact on the family and community Andre thinks his father would like to be remembered as “a fun-loving guy, always with a kind word”.

“He was a good husband, good father and grandfather,” Andre said.