KELVIN Chambers, who for many years ran the Aladdin Garage in Hayfield Road, North Oxford, has died suddenly at the age of 67.
He was a well-known and well-liked local trader who, together with his wife Gill, gave decades of service to the local community.
An intuitive mechanic, Mr Chambers had an instinctive understanding of cars and their problems; there are many old vehicles in the area which are continuing to function thanks to his skilful attention.
He – and his often terrible jokes – will be sadly missed.
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Kelvin Chambers was born in Cardiff in 1952. He moved to Oxford aged 10 when his father found work with the university.
The family made their home at Botley Lodge, where they live to this day.
Kelvin attended the Botley School and then Matthew Arnold secondary school; after school he took an apprenticeship with Hartwell Ford and then worked as a mechanic in the local motor trade.
In 1982 he married Gillian with whom he enjoyed a close and loving bond; they only ever spent four days apart in their entire 38 years of marriage.
In 1990 Mr Chambers opened up Aladdin motors in Hayfield Road which quickly established itself as an integral part of the local community.
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Although he was very gifted in looking after older vehicles, he also made sure that he and his staff kept up to date with the latest technology and in that way were able to provide a comprehensive service despite the Hayfield Road site being quite constricted in size.
Kelvin and Gill raised two sons, Carl and Gareth. Carl, an IT developer, now lives in Australia with wife Elise and grandson Ollie.
Gareth, like his father a gifted mechanic, followed his father into the trade and worked side by side with his father for the past 10 years.
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He intends to carry on the business with his mother running the office.
Mr Chambers died in the John Radcliffe Hospital on May 26, after a short illness.
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