A photographer who worked in his family's famous studios in Watford for 60 years will be remembered for his generous nature and sense of humour, his family have said.

Ivor Greville began working in his father's photographic studio in Queens Road as a 14-year-old boy.

Working in the commercial side of the business, he worked with many household names as the shop became an institution in the town centre.

However, following his move to a nursing home in Leavesden, he died on December 30, 2009. He was 82.

Mr Greville was born in Maidenhead in 1927 but aged two, he moved to Watford with his family when his father Theodore Greville took over his uncle Herbert's photography studio in the town in 1930.

He grew up in the family home in Leavesden with his brothers Richard (Dick) and Peter, and sister Jean.

Then as a 14-year-old he began working in the studio, the old post office at 48 Queens Road, and took on the daily running with his brothers when their father bought another shop in Folkestone.

While Richard took portraits for many people and families in Watford, Mr Greville was in charge of the commercial side of the business, working with well-known companies including Bosch and Sanyo.

The studio was forced to move further along Queens Road when the original shop was knocked down to make way for The Harlequin shopping centre.

But Mr Greville would work in the business his whole life, often working six day weeks, until his retirement aged 74.

Mr Greville was married to wife Madeleine for 30 years until her death 16 years ago. More recently, he enjoyed an eight-year relationship with Pat Arkill.

During his working life he and his brother Richard were regulars at the Southern Cross pub, and loved good food, wine, and holidays in the south of France.

Following health problems, however, Mr Greville moved to Sunrise Nursing Home in Chorleywood and more recently, he lived at Lancaster Court Nursing Home in High Road, Leavesden, before his death.

Mr Greville's son Jon, from Hamilton Road, Hunton Bridge, said: “One word used to describe him has been larrikin. He liked a good laugh. He had a very dry sense of humour. He was a bit mischievous.

“He wasn't quiet about his clothes he wore. He liked a nice jacket and brightly-coloured shirt and trousers.

“He was generous to a fault; the most unselfish person I have ever met in my life and a very loving father and grandfather.

“He lived and died for photography, he dabbled in woodwork and had quite a deep interest in music. He used to play a little bit of clarinet, piano, Spanish guitar and flute.

“He worked six-and-a-half days a week every week. There wasn't many Sundays where he didn't go down the shop for at least a few hours. It became very, very difficult for him when he did retire and it left a huge void in his life.”

He leaves his brother Peter and sister Jean, sons Jon and Lee, Jon's wife Jane and their children Lindsay and Jack, and Lee's wife Nina and their children Natalie and Alexandra.

Mr Greville's funeral will take place at West Herts Crematorium, in High Elms Lane, Garston, at 2.40pm on January 13. Flowers are welcome or donations to the Peace Hospice.