Local people and holidaymakers alike will remember Ray Arnold, former owner of Castle Narrowboats at Gilwern, who died peacefully at Pindersfield Hospital in Wakefield last week.

Born in 1928, Ray had pursued a career as a civil engineer and worked in Stafford, The Gambia and South Wales.

In The Gambia from 1958-1961 he developed the country’s road system to improve trade and tourism.

In the 1980s he and his wife Doreen became owners and managing directors of a successful canal boat hire business, Castle Narrow boats, based at Gilwern. They built the business up from just a few boats to a fleet.

Ray invented and installed Cromptons, an electrical motor propulsion system - environmentally friendly, run on batteries, charged at docking points along the Monmouth and Brecon canal.

His customers so enjoyed their holidays they came back year after year to relax in the Welsh countryside.

Ray’s last years were spent in happy retirement in Dorset and West Yorkshire. He passed away surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Doreen.