Tributes after death of popular Wolverhampton landlord
One of the Black Country's longest-serving pub landlords who was known for his love of a good sing-along around the piano, has died at the age of 74.
Geoff Bangham spent more than 40 years behind the bars of pubs across Wolverhampton. But he was best known for running Geoff's Piano Bar, off Tettenhall Road, as well as the former Quarterhouse pub in Chapel Ash. Friends today said Mr Bangham was 'one of Wolverhampton's great characters' who will be sadly missed.
He died suddenly at New Cross Hospital on July 25.
Mr Bangham, of Albert Road, in Tettenhall, also served as a councillor for Wolverhampton and was a member of the city's Conservative party for almost 50 years.
Born and bred in Wolverhampton, like many others, Mr Bangham spent some of his youth doing National Service and trained at RAF Bridgnorth.
His first pub job was at The Giffard Arms, where he worked behind the bar, before going on to run his own pubs.
Mr Bangham was landlord at, among others, The Lord Raglan in Raglan Street, The Royal Oak in Bridgnorth Road, The Swan in Sedgley and The Alexander in Chapel Ash.
His sister-in-law June Bangham, who was married to Mr Bangham's late brother John, said: "He just loved running pubs.
"It just made him happy. He loved nothing more than to get everybody around the piano, get the party hats on and have a good sing-song." Mr Bangham was a big fan of the theatre and was a regular visitor to the Grand in Lichfield Street in the city centre.
He also loved animals and raised lots of money over the years for charities and good causes, especially Sunnyside Kennels in Coven. Mr Bangham was often seen with his faithful companion Manchester Terrier Mr Benji, who greeted punters at The Quarterhouse, the last pub Mr Bangham ran before his retirement aged 70.
Mr Bangham also served as a Conservative councillor in wards including Ettingshall, Oxley and Wednesfield in the 1970s.
He was a member of the Wolverhampton Conservative Club for 49 years and served as vice president.
Leader of the Conservative party in Wolverhampton, Councillor Neville Patten paid tribute to Mr Bangham.
"He was just one of the old characters of Wolverhampton and lots of people knew him and liked him," said Mr Patten.
"He was also a councillor, I think in the 1970s, and he was a really good one.Geoff was a good chap and he will be sadly missed."
Mr Bangham's funeral will be held at Bushbury Crematorium West Chapel on August 13 at 4pm.
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