Family and friends of a GP who served Bradford since the creation of the NHS, were remembering the “amazingly good doctor” at his funeral today.
Basil Messer, who died on Saturday, aged 89, was consort to his wife Olive, a Shipley Councillor who became Lord Mayor of Bradford in 1984.
They lived above Dr Messer’s Undercliffe surgery, which began taking NHS patients only two weeks after he married Mrs Messer in 1948. The couple later moved to Shipley and opened a surgery there, before Dr Messer retired in 1980.
Their daughter Ruth Baker said: “He was an amazingly good doctor, always full of common sense, always treated kindly and with respect. He was incredibly hard working.”
Originally from London, he met his wife on a blind date when he returned from serving in the Royal Medical Corps in India in 1948.
Dr Messer died at home after a short illness, surrounded by family.
“He had a great sense of humour and was a wonderful father,” said Mrs Baker.
The Union flag at City Hall was flying at half mast yesterday and today as a mark of respect to Dr Messer.
Bradford Councillor Dame Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “I have known Olive and Basil Messer for many years and they were always supportive and encouraging to me. He will be sadly missed.”
Council leader Kris Hopkins said: “Dr Messer was highly-respected in the community and a wonderful support to Olive during her term as Lord Mayor.”
Dr Messer leaves his wife, a son and a daughter, and two granddaughters.
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