Tributes have been paid following the death of Ben Longrigg, founder and owner of Winners 2000 gym.
Ben died just weeks after his 92nd birthday at his home in Stokeinteignhead.
A highly intelligent and successful businessman, Ben attended Cambridge University and worked in senior management roles in London before buying a small business in Torquay, which he grew into the well-known Torex Hire. After floating Torex on the stock exchange, he retired and set up Winners 2000.
The company operates three gyms in Kingsteignton, Torquay and Paignton.
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‘Ben was an incredible person, a gifted entrepreneur and a huge proponent of health and fitness,’ a spokesperson from Winners 2000 Gym said. ‘Many of you may have met him during the years he was physically able to train at the gyms, but you may not have known that this unassuming man was responsible for the Winners story.’
Ben was also a ‘very fine golfer’ who played off ‘scratch’ and qualified for the Amateur Championship.
Ben is described as ‘an advocate for equality of opportunity’. He recently donated money to establish the ‘Winners Training Fund’, which supports young athletes and sportsmen and women so they can achieve their personal and professional goals.
Over many years Ben also generously supported various local groups and institutions by donating significant time and resources to help these organisations achieve their aims.
‘His death is a great loss to the Winners family and the wider community and he will be very much missed,’ the Winners spokesperson concluded.