Gloucester's business community has reacted with shock and sadness to news of the death of demolition king Richard "Dick" Bishop within weeks of diagnosis of a terminal illness.

As a prominent figure in Gloucester, Dick, who was aged 56, played a pivotal role in changing the face of the city. BB Enterprises Ltd has been involved in landmark development work to the city over the decades, gaining a strong reputation for demolition, site clearance, tipping and recycling.

Dick, who lived in Churchdown and was born in 1967, was a mainstay in the family business which was established by his father, Bert, in 1964 and spent his entire career working to ensure the steady growth and success of the firm.

Speaking to Punchline-Gloucester.com, Dick's sister Jane Cook said her brother, the youngest among siblings Jane, Jacqui and Steve, had been clearly destined for his job from childhood.

Jane said: "From the age of three, Mum and Dad knew that if you let him go outside he'd come back covered in oil. They even found him sleeping under a lorry. From his teens, he was doing demolition and it was in his blood."

Dick, who leaves a 15-year-old son, Bertie, suffered from sudden back pain in February.

Jane added: "It has been a terrible shock because it has been so quick. He was diagnosed on February 27 and given a terminal cancer diagnosis that night after lung cancer was identified.

"Sadly his health deteriorated really quickly and it has been heartbreaking for all the family, especially our mother Rosita and father, Albert. You should not have to see your child go before you. It is also sad for Jenya, his girlfriend of ten years.

"They travelled so much together when travel became a big thing to Dick in recent years. They visited Dubai and so many places – they also planned a trip to Vietnam. Sadly they never got the chance for this last trip, but Dick was amazingly brave - he never moaned about what happened and he just said it is what it is."

A funeral, to which all well-wishers are invited, will be held this Friday (April 26) at St Bartholemew's Church, Chosen Hill, in Churchdown (GL3 2LG), with a wake afterwards at Brickhampton Court Golf Club, GL2 9QF. Attendees are asked to confirm to Jane via Dick Bishop's Facebook page.

Punchline-Gloucester.com editor, Mark Owen, said: "I knew Dick from many chats we had over a cappucino and a cigar, discussing the future for Gloucester Quays. He's turn up in a battered Land Rover, wearing wellies and his jumper full of holes. The mistake to make would be thinking he was simply a workman, but he was a very astute businessman with the ability to see opportunity where others didn't. He had his finerprints on the Spinnaker Park and Baker's Quay projects – with his demolition hard hat on, he literally changed the face of the city. Rest in peace, Dick and thanks for the memories of our times together working to make Gloucester a better place."