Gladwyn “Moe” Ming, one of those who helped create and develop the Spinning Wheel nightclub, has died at the age of 79.

Steve Simons, manager of the Court Street club, said: “He was an icon for Spinning Wheel. He was one of the original owners, and he was here through all the ups and downs.

“He was fun-loving. Not outgoing, but not an introvert either. He liked to travel the world, which he did extensively, and he was a family man. He loved his family.

“He was a visionary and we are sorry to see him go. He will be missed. It’s going to take some getting used to, him not being around.”

Mr Ming first became involved with the nightclub in 1970 when he, Charles Burgess and Victor Paris purchased a small upstairs bar called Green Gables.

“From the beginning, these guys did everything. They would be the porter, the bartender, the cashier, the manager. He was always part of the process in the evolution of Spinning Wheel. When it started it was a closet, but you can see what it is now.

“It was just him and Mr Burgess who were hands-on with everything. Mr Paris was also a partner, but he phased out a little earlier. Meanwhile, Mr Ming was here working intimately with all of the clerical work, the legal work.

“Without him and Mr Burgess, there would be no Spinning Wheel today.”

Mr Simons said that Mr Ming remained hard at work in the background at the club even after he began to fall ill.

“It was devastating because he was close to everybody,” he said. “The customers really liked him. People are still coming around looking for him. His funeral today will be filled with loved ones and friends.

“He liked to make sure that people were happy. One thing he said to me that I remember was: ‘Money makes people happy, so the best thing you can do with money is continue to make people happy’.

“I remember that, and we try to do that here. We are going to try and continue on his legacy by keeping people happy, comfortable and safe.”