THE former head of one of Derbyshire's oldest family-owned

construction firms has died at the age of 75.

John Wildgoose was the third generation to manage the

building company, Wildgoose Construction, which was founded in

Matlock in 1896 by his grandfather.

John's death on holiday in Majorca was described as a shock

by son Jonathan.

He said: "He was an active man. He loved his family and he

loved the outdoors.

"He was a man of practical action and was held in affection

and great respect by those who knew him.

"He was a principled man with a good sense of humour."

Mr Wildgoose was born in Matlock in 1933 and educated at

Abbotsholme School, Rocester.

He joined the family firm, then known as John William

Wildgoose and Son, after leaving school, training to be a

stonemason at the company's Lumshill quarry, near Matlock. Then

he completed his National Service in the Royal Engineers and

returned to work in Matlock.

On the death of his father, Horace, in 1967, he became

chairman and managing director.

Although he stepped down last year to allow his son to

succeed him as chairman, Mr Wildgoose, who lived at Alport,

near Bakewell, was still working until his death this

month.

Jonathan, 47, said: "He would never have thought of retiring

– he was still in the office every day. His death was a

shock."

Mr Wildgoose married Marjory Hinckley in 1958 and as well as

Jonathan, they had a daughter, Laura Harcourt, who is the

company vice- chairman, and seven grandchildren.

Mr Wildgoose was a keen sportsman, playing hockey for

Derwent, for his Army regiment and also representing

Derbyshire.

Shooting was also a keen hobby. He learned to shoot rabbit

and game and was equally skilled with the fishing rod.

During his time at the helm of the company, Wildgoose

Construction, which employs 95 staff, underwent a process of

radical modernisation.

It moved more into management contracting, working on a

variety of building projects across the Midlands that included

the five-star Boutique Hotel, in Derby's Cathedral Quarter, and

a series of schools, including the Kirk Hallam Community

Technical College, Ilkeston.

Now based in Ashover, the company undertakes projects from

£250,000 to £7m-plus.

Mr Wildgoose's funeral took place at All Saints' Church,

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