TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known business owner who has fixed the motors of west Cumbria for 50 years - and who once sprayed Diana Dors' shoes red.
John Oliver, who was 73 when he passed away, ran Westways Services and lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in July. He'd been having chemotherapy sessions since August 2020.
John spent over 50 years serving the community with his 24/7 Recovery service and garage, and he was a well-known face to so many.
Since his death, his family has seen a flood of flowers and messages sending their condolences to John.
Over the Covid pandemic, John did lots to help out in the Whitehaven area and the wider community and his efforts received the attention of the local press and High Sheriff of Cumbria.
Dawn Oliver, John's wife, said: "John was in the garage business with his dad from the age of 14, until he bought Westways in the late 1970s.
"He used to say he was proud to work for all the major breakdown companies and fleet companies but found it hard during Covid, as he was the only breakdown service from Silloth to Millom and eastwards to Keswick and Hardknot pass to Ambleside.
"He always said he was privileged to have made so many friends, customers, other garage owners and service providers alike.
"He believed in equal opportunity and gave a trial to a local girl as a mechanic in the early 2000s.
"He did continue his theme of women in power and employed a young female recovery driver just before Covid.
"John was so pleased as she proved what he had always believed: 'There wasn't any job that a man could do that a woman couldn't do just as good or even better.'
"He was privileged to have helped his dad spray the late Diana Dors' shoes red. She had left her original ones at home and needed the colour matched for her show in the late 1970s.
"John also recalled when actor Tom Conti needed his car tyres sorted in 2018 while on holiday in the area.
"The following year the actor asked if John's team could pick up and service his vehicle, as he was blown away by the service and price he had been given the previous year."
Service with a smile for over 48 years - he and the garage will be missed by so many.
John's family has said people can make donations to Hospice at Home West Cumbria or Palliative Care West Cumberland Hospital via Eaves Funeral Directors.
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