PROMINENT solicitor and past president of Tynedale Rugby Club, Anthony Smith (pictured) has died at the age of 81.

Known as Tony to friends and family, he was born in 1935, the only child of Mary and Alfred Smith.

His father died after being mortally wounded in the Second World War in 1944 and he was brought up by his mother at their home in Dunston, Gateshead.

He attended St Cuthbert’s Grammar School in Newcastle where he was a keen footballer and cricketer.

Leaving school, he went straight into the Army for National Service. Returning home, his path into a law career was initiated by his mother who arranged an interview for him with Gateshead solicitor Lawrie Mulcahy.

He was taken on as an article clerk, an unpaid position. While qualifying, he worked on building sites, in a bakery and even dug graves to pay for his upkeep.

During this time, he fell in love with his future wife Joan, a nurse at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, and the pair married in 1964 and moved into a new home in Whickham.

He rose quickly through the ranks professionally, achieving an excellent reputation as a criminal solicitor and was made a partner, the firm being renamed L. Mulcahy, Smith and Co.

He took over as senior partner in 1972 and was later elected deputy coroner for South Northumberland.

By then the couple had moved to West Fell, Corbridge, where they would stay for 45 years.

Tony played a prominent part in village life, being introduced to Tynedale Rugby Club where he was president between 2002 and 2004 and was an active member of the congregation at the Saturday evening Roman Catholic service held at St Andrew’s Church.

Most recently he enjoyed membership of Corbridge Gardening Society.

After retiring from practising as a solicitor, he continued his duties as a deputy coroner and a tribunal chairman until 2006.

Tony died on January 2 and is survived by Joan, children Andrew, David and Caroline, and much-loved grandchildren Olivia, Eleanor, William, Amelie and Felix.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 19, at St Mary’s RC Church, Hexham, followed by a reception at Tynedale Rugby Club.