A WELL-KNOWN Taunton man has sadly passed away aged 65-years-old.

Daniel Birch, owner of former business Plasterworks and Artichoke, died peacefully surrounded by his family at Oak Meadows Care Home.

Mr Birch ran the successful businesses in Silver Street until the end of 2017, when his wife Joyce passed away.

Mr Birch’s family have paid tribute to the wonderful, generous and loving man, who was a ‘well-known and popular figure’ in Taunton.

A family member said: “Dan will always be remembered as a wonderful caring, loving, happy, generous man, a hugely well known and popular figure in Taunton, always a gentleman - and he loved his food.

“Dan loved all his family, he was a loving husband to the late Joyce and dear father to Sam and grandsons Jacque and Ronnie.

“He will be deeply missed by his brothers Clive and Tim, his sister Louise and all their families, and of course all his friends of which he had so many.

“The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Oake Meadows Care Home for all their love and deep dedication to Dan for his last 14 months.”

Mr Birch and his wife have one son, Sam, and two grandsons, Jacques and Ronnie.

He had a ‘deep passion’ for cricket, like his father Raymond, and he was proud to see his Plasterworks banner at the cricket ground.

Mr Birch’s adventurous life started when he was born in Beirut. Since then, he lived all across the country, including Manchester, Sussex and Croydon, as well as further afield in Ireland, where he and his brother Clive ran International Turkeys, the largest turkey farm in Europe.

Dan and Joyce married in 1978 before having their son in 1981.

They returned to the UK to make their new home in Taunton in 1994

The family member added: “Dan and Jo embraced their life in Taunton, opening their hugely successful business Plasterworks, over the years expanding with their shop Artichoke on the corner of Silver Street and East Reach.

“From here Dan learnt the craft of mould making and plaster casting, he became a very talented craftsman, his work adorns countless country houses, estates and private houses in the Somerset area and beyond.

“Jo and Dan ran these delightful shops together, always full of fascinating gifts jewellery and lovely things for the home.”

His funeral will take place on April 2 at 3pm at Taunton Deane Crematorium.

Donations in memory of Dan can be made to either the BLF - British Lung Foundation, or SHINE - the charity for hydrocephalus, which will be collected at the funeral.

Anyone wishing to send flowers can send them to the Co-operative Funeralcare.