EX-owner of the Kings Arms Hotel and well-known Rotarian Leo Clarke has died after a long-haul flight from New Zealand.

Leo owned the Kings Arms in Kingsbridge in the late 70s and early 80s and passed away on Friday, May 6, after suffering a heart attack on the plane on Wednesday, May 4.

Mr Clarke’s son Kane Clarke picked him up from Newton Abbot on May 4 and took him straight to Torbay Hospital. After examinations, doctors were amazed that he travelled such a distance on his own to reach his family in the United Kingdom. His condition was stable and everything seem fine after the hospital administered medication. Mr Clarke was chatting away and seemed in good spirits and very pleased to see his grandchildren.

After a CT scan and an angiogram on Friday, Mr Clarke sadly had his last attack which proved to be fatal, his son was with him, never leaving his side, and saw his father pass away.

Mr Clarke was looked after well at hospital and his son commends the doctors and nurses for their due care and assistance.

Mr Clarke moved to Kingsbridge in the late 1970s and bought the Kings Arms Hotel. In 1983, Mr Clarke’s portfolio grew as he purchased The Crab Shell Motor Lodge, The Winking Prawn in Salcombe and then The Hope Cove Hotel.

On his retirement in 2000 The Crab Shell was sold for redevelopment into flats.

He was a keen sailor and Rotarian and enjoyed living in the South Hams. Leo and wife Emily split their time between Thurlestone and New Zealand, and were keen golfers, enjoying the game locally and in North Island, NZ, where they spent the summer months.

Leo leaves behind his wife Emily, son Kane, daughter-in-law Carolynne and his two beloved grandchildren Mikela and Samantha. He will be sadly missed.

There will be a service at the Torbay Crematorium on Friday, May 27, at 10.30am followed by his wake at The Thurlestone Hotel.