Marr, who died on 27 November following a short illness, had been working as a printer at St Clements Fosh and Cross when Contract Papers was formed in London in 1969.

He was employed as sales director of Contract Papers in 1970 and appointed managing director in 1982. After a series of acquisitions and mergers, including the purchase of Howard Smith Paper in 1982, Contract Papers subsequently became part of the Howard Smith Paper Group along with Howard Smith Paper and Savory Paper.

Managing director of Two Sides and Print Power Martyn Eustace said: “I joined Contract Papers in the early 1980s and Jimmy, very much a legend in the world of paper and magazine publishing, became a steadfast colleague and friend.

“Together with Robert Savory and George Dean, Jimmy formed part of a management team of the renamed Howard Smith Paper Group which moved operations to Northampton in 1989 and entered an unrivalled period of growth.

“Jimmy’s gruff, cigar-nurtured voice always made good common sense and his support for me and others was unfailing. In an industry once teeming with characters he stood shoulder to shoulder with them.

“He was not a corporate man and gave cursory attention to corporate double-speak. He was his own man and valued for that; trusted by colleagues, suppliers and customers alike. Thanks Jim for a great time.”

The funeral will take place on Friday 12 December at 2pm at St John’s Church, Canons Hill, Old Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 1HA. All friends and former colleagues are welcome to attend.

Donations can be made to www.prostatecanceruk.org and flowers can be sent to Rowland Brothers, The Parade, Old Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 1EH.