HARRY Ross moved to Carlisle from Newcastle in 1984 and intended to take over a pub for three years. Three decades later he’d become the city centre’s longest serving landlord.

He and his wife Pat, of Wetheral, took on the Howard Arms, in Lowther Street, and turned what was a rundown pub into one of the most popular drinking spots in the city.

Harry, dad-of-two to sons Dean and Craig, was the perfect host. He was hardworking and welcomed everyone, though he wouldn’t take any nonsense.

His friends say they will always remember the warm and welcoming atmosphere he created in the pub.

They have spoken of his kindness, describing him as “the nicest, most genuine person in the world”, an “absolute gentleman” and someone who really cared about people.

Harry’s first job was to try to encourage a better clientele - it was full of not so nice people when he and Pat were handed the keys - and he was thrilled when players from Creighton and Carlisle Rugby Clubs started drinking in the pub.

They would meet there every Saturday and it became a focal point. Harry showed his support for the teams, watching their games and even going on tour with Creighton RFC.

He was also a keen supported of local band The Daisychain Connection, who thought of the Howard Arms as their spiritual home, sponsoring their first single.

Another success for the Howard Arms came when they started to stock real ales. They never looked back.

Not long after taking over Harry was asked by Theakston’s brewery to be the first in Cumbria to sell its cask beers.

Real ale was a minority interest then, but has since grown in popularity. For many years the Howard Arms sold more than any other pub in the country - at one point they selling about 10 barrels a week.

The pub was awarded Pub of the Season for autumn 2010 by the Solway branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

It was famous for its community spirit and those who worked and drank there became like a family.

A joke that often did the rounds centred around a plaque saying ‘Dixy’s Corner’, to highlight how customer Alan Dixon always stood in a particular place. It often confused customers who asked when he died and Harry would say he’d be coming in about 10 minutes.

The pub was also popular with journalists and council workers, particularly when the lunchtime pint was fashionable, and Harry became a fount of local knowledge.

This was no more evident than in 1988 on the night of the Lockerbie bombing when a Reuters journalist originally from Carlisle made Harry her first point of call to find out what was going on.

In 2014, Harry and Pat looked forward to retirement and handed over the keys to Stuart and Diane Marshall. Back then, he said he couldn’t imagine what it would be like not being in the pub and while he left with many happy memories, he had to think himself and his family. At 62 he was looking forward to having time to relax.

Harry, one of four sons to Tom and Ruth Ross, died on Sunday, aged 66, and leaves his wife Pat and son Craig. The funeral will take place at Carlisle Crematorium on Tuesday at 1.40pm. There will be family flowers only but collections will be taken for Oak Tree Animals’ Charity.