Tributes have been paid to a father whose sense of humour and gentle personality never faltered - despite suffering from two brain conditions.

George McManus, of Uphill Grove, Mill Hill, passed away after a bout of pneumonia at the end of February.

The music executive was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia ten years ago, but even after finding out he had motor neurone disease last year, his good spirits continued to inspire his family.

His daughter, Ciara, said: “Dad was a complete character and was always a very grounded man. His sense of humour is what’s kept our family going this long.

“During his illnesses, he never gave up. He was still my dad at heart. He kept active - he loved going to the cinema and to see his beloved Arsenal FC play.

“Dad was also obsessed with newspapers and listening to the radio. He was also very into politics, and a fervent Liberal Democrat supporter.”

Mr McManus spent a glamorous career with record label Polydor, producing albums with with the likes of The Who, Abba and The Carpenters.

His family remember how he spoke about his job with passion and excitement - but was still a typical down-to-earth family man at heart.

He moved to England from Northern Ireland when he was 11, and married his wife, Maureen, in 1973. They moved to Mill Hill a few years later and had two daughters, Donna and Ciara.

During his retirement, the kind-hearted father led a busy life, volunteering at a soup kitchen in Victoria and teaching literacy to inmates at Wormwood Scrubs Prison.

After her father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FDT), which can cause a lack of empathy and mood changes, daughter Ciara raised more than £2,500 for The Brain Society.

Looking back on happier times, she recalled how he was a great lover of the coast - and how the family would often spend hours on the beach despite pouring rain.

She added: “I have so many fond memories of him. I remember once we’d planned a holiday to Spain - and realised we’d got the dates wrong. We had eight minutes to pack our suitcases.

“Dad packed 20 T-shirts and no shorts, which became a running joke. He also had a thick, yet gentle, Irish accent which automated voices could never understand. We had a laugh about that.

“Our whole family will miss him immensely.”

She added: “He was always in good spirits, despite his illnesses, he was still my dad at heart. I have so many fond memories of him.”

The family have asked for donations to The Brain Society in lieu of flowers.

Donations can be made by posting a cheque to the National Brain Appeal, Box 123, National Neurological Hospital, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG. George McManus's name and FTD must be mentioned.

They can also be made via bank transfer, at account number 13552207 and sort code 16-00-37.

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