Sharpless, who's funeral takes place today (3 January) in Barkby, Leicestershire, was instrumental in the expansion of the business to the £25m operation it is today.

He joined the company, then known as Taylor & Bloxham, as a errand boy in 1938 before entering into an apprenticeship, which was subsequently interrupted by World War 2 and service with the Royal Artillery.

Following the end of the war, Sharpless was moved to GHQ Printing Press in Bielefeld until 1947 when he returned to Taylor & Bloxham.

In the subsequent years, founding partner Harold Bloxham retired and sold his shares to Sharpless who became managing director.

By the late 1970's he had moved the company from letterpress to B1 litho and formed both repro and B2 facilities reaching the £1m turnover mark in the process.

The company continued to expand in the 1990's with the installation of new Heidelberg presses and moved into a purpose-built 4,460m2 Leicester site.

Taylor Bloxham, which now employs 200 staff and runs a raft of print equipment, is chaired by Sharpless' daughter April Moss.

She said: "My dad was a true family man and a gentleman. Not only was he a fantastic husband, father and grandfather, he was an inspiring father figure, role model and good friend to hundreds of people. My dad has left a wonderful legacy that will last forever."

Those wanting to donate in his memory can contribute to the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o Ginns & Gutteridge Funeral Directors, 51 Vaughan Way, Leicester, LE1 4NR.