One of Surrey’s best known estate agents, Patrick Gardner, who founded Patrick Gardner & Company, has died aged 84.
Gardner, a life-long resident of Mole Valley, established Patrick Gardner in 1992, a company which now employs more than 50 staff and has offices in Leatherhead, Bookham, Dorking and Ashtead.
Bruce Shaw, current senior partner, paid tribute to Gardner, known to his wide circle of friends as Tink, saying: “I suspect that when Patrick started his own firm under his own name in 1992, he never imagined that it would grow into the business that it is today. Patrick had a great business mind, an infectious personality and an immeasurable number of contacts.
“He chose his staff and partners well – he was only interested in people who he knew would care about the business, sustain its values and provide a first-class service. His legacy will be maintained, and he will be sadly missed by all of us.”
Gardner, born in February 1941 to BBC broadcaster Charles Gardner and his wife Eve, was one of three children. He is survived by his older brother Robert, and mourned the passing of his younger sibling, Helen, in 2020.
He spent his early years at Downsend School, Leatherhead, then St John’s School, Leatherhead, from 1955 to 1959, before joining a local firm of chartered surveyors and estate agents, Osenton Lamden, completing his articles to become a chartered surveyor himself.
According to Surrey Live, Gardener and many of his friends were members of both Leatherhead and Dorking Dramatic and Operatic Societies. He met his wife, Annabel, during a production of Call Me Madam at Dorking Halls, with the couple marrying in 1969.
Away from the stage, Gardener was an avid vintage car enthusiast, building up a sizeable collection of cars which he raced at Silverstone, Brooklands, Brands Hatch and also used when heading to work and property viewings.
In 1975, he became a governor at his former school, St John’s, a position which he held with great pride.
Paying tribute to her father, Claire Gardner, said: “His approach to life was full throttle. His energy and passion for life shone through everything he did – his company, racing cars, his mesmerising stage performances. He was also an incredible father, devoted, generous and inspiring.
“Although he was a dreadful French speaker, the phrase, joie de vivre, meaning ‘joy of living’, sums up how he lived every day of his life. He will be missed enormously.”
A private funeral is being held later this month with a memorial service date to be confirmed.
