THE founder of one of Dorset's leading law firms has died at the age of 99.

Howard Cole was just eight weeks away from his 100th birthday and 24 hours from his 73rd wedding anniversary when he passed away.

Family members and business leaders gathered at a memorial service of thanksgiving to honour his life and achievements on Sunday July 12 at Broadstone Methodist Church.

His elder daughter, Susanne, paid a moving tribute to her father, outlining his interesting life, both in relation to his family and his career.

And his granddaughter, Jo, said: "Grandpa loved his family deeply and loved to spend time with them. He was a wonderful provider, caring for his children and grandchildren and ensuring that we wanted for nothing, supported in all his efforts by my wonderful Grandma, Betty."

Jo joked about the service being held at the same time as the Men's Singles Final at Wimbledon because, she said, her grandfather had a passion for tennis.

She added: "I suspect that he may in fact be videoing the ceremony to watch later when the tennis has finished."

Mr Cole’s legal career began in the 1920s when he joined Poole law firm JW Miller & Sons as a legal clerk.

In 1954 Mr Cole founded his own firm HFJ Cole and was joined soon afterwards by his brother Arthur. At that time the firm was based in the High Street, Poole.

By 1972 the firm had three Partners – Howard Cole, Arthur Cole and Roger Senior – and had been renamed HFJ & AW Cole.

In 1989, the firm merged with JW Miller & Sons, Howard Cole’s original employer, to create Coles Miller.

Coles Miller grew significantly over the next quarter of a century, merging with two Bournemouth firms: Charminster-based Mills Bushnell in 1992 and DTW Solicitors (formerly Derek T Wilkinson) on the East Cliff in 2007.

Coles Miller is now one of the largest law firms in the region with 13 partners and around 120 staff.

Three years ago Mr Cole and his wife Betty celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They had met at Broadstone Methodist Church in their teens.

Mr Cole is survived by his widow Betty, their three children Susanne, Rosemary and Andrew, their five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.