Despite his efforts to live a quiet existence, Louis “Cowboy” Perinchief was a familiar face in the community.

The father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 86, was praised yesterday for his contributions to the Island by those closest to him.

The former funeral director, from St George’s, was a gifted carpenter, especially when creating coffins, according to his former colleague and apprentice, Doreen Williams-James.

“One of the best I’ve ever known or seen,” she said.

She met him while at the Bermuda Institute; she was an intern who assisted Mr Perinchief and his father, Albert, at their family business, AJ Perinchief Funeral Home.

The father and son team notably handled the funeral of the late Governor, Sir Richard Sharples, after his assassination in 1973. They also dealt with the burial of his Great Dane, which was killed alongside him.

“He shared a great deal of knowledge with me, his experience and expertise,” Ms Williams-James told The Royal Gazette. “He was a very private person and kept to himself, but still he was well known in the community. He was always there for me, rain, blow or shine. We had a lot of interesting stories.”

Ms Williams-James recalled that Mr Perinchief had a very impressive memory.

“He could remember everything, from telephone numbers to licence plates to names. I can recall I received an e-mail from someone abroad. They were trying to locate a loved one’s burial plot. Right away Louis was able to tell me which church it was, what cemetery it was and where to find the grave.”

She also told how Mr Perinchief was renowned for his love of horses, adding: “He contributed so much to the community. But his horses were his life.”

He drove a horse and carriage for many years — escorting dignitaries such as a number of governors — and has taken part in two peppercorn ceremonies. He would also moonlight as a taxi driver, and at 15 he operated the train on the Ferry Reach route.

With his Clydesdales, Kip and Cody, he was a regular winner at the annual Agricultural Show. Terry Lamb, who sold him the horses, told how Mr Perinchief grinned from ear to ear the first time they triumphed at the show.

Mr Perinchief was devastated when Kip died on January 23 of last year. He then made the tough decision to put down Cody in the summer.

His niece, Joanne Hollis, whom he lived with for the last five years of his life, said that in his final days he would often ask her the date.

“It was as if he was waiting for that date,” Ms Hollis said. “Saturday was the anniversary for the first horse he lost. We could not believe it.”

Mr Perinchief leaves behind a daughter, Michelle Johnston-Whitehead, a grandson, Mario Johnston, and great-grandson, Warrick.