TRIBUTES have been paid to an “extremely well dressed” property auctioneer well known for his work between the 1970s and 1990s.

Stuart Freeman, from Brighton, who was the co-owner of Goldsack and Freeman Financial Services, has died at the age of 71.

Family and friends have spoken fondly of Mr Freeman and will be attending a memorial service for him this week.

Retired Liz Freeman, from Alfriston, said: “He was a very determined man and a resilient character.

“He worked very hard all of the time. Perhaps he worked too hard and spent his time working when he would should have been enjoying it.

“He loved the challenge of auctioning and was very good at it.

“In his fifties he studied for an MSc in housing and spent the last ten years working as a lecturer and for charities such as Shelter in London.

“He will be greatly missed by his close family and friends.”

Mr Freeman, who went to Patcham Fawcett secondary school, began his career as an estate agent working in The Lanes, Brighton, after finishing his O-levels.

He co-founded his business in the early 1970s and the company had two offices in the city, one in Marlborough Place and another in Elm Grove.

After starting his new business venture, Mr Freeman developed a passion for selling properties at auction, hosting them regularly at Hove Town Hall between the 1970s and early 1990s.

Mrs Freeman said he was also a great sportsman, playing for a number of cricket clubs, including Ditchling, Alfriston and Seaford.

Brighton-based historian and archivist Andy Garth, owner of Brighton and Hove Stuff, worked for Mr Freeman for seven years, from in his early twenties.

Mr Garth said: “I learnt lots from him.

“He was a very well respected and very good property auctioneer.

“The stuff we sold, you just wouldn’t believe. He was very dapper and smart.

“When I worked for him, in one year alone around £18 million worth of property was sold.”

Mr Freeman also had a keen interest in cars and is remembered by those who knew him well for driving his Porsche around the city.

His memorial service will be at St John the Baptist’s Church in Clayton on Wednesday at 2.30pm.

l See Obituaries in Tuesday’s Argus