Franco Agorini passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family last Saturday evening.

The popular town man had battled a brain tumour for six-and-a-half years and his long-term partner Maggie Lamport said: "He lived for the kids at his YAIL school and his motto was 'Whatever it takes'."

His main passion was helping the youngsters who passed through the North Marsh Road provision which he co-founded in 2000.

Maggie, who had lived with Franco for 11 years, said: "Frank fitted so much into his short life and he will be missed by many people in Gainsborough very much.

"He was very passionate about his school and helping the kids who passed through its doors.

"He was a son of Gainsborough and his umbilical cord with the town could never be severed - he was so passionate about this town."

Franco was born in the old maternity hospital on North Marsh Road, which he bought to turn into the YAIL (Youth Action in Lincolnshire) eight years ago to give an education to boys who may otherwise have been excluded from school because of social, education or behavioural issues.

After attending Benjamin Adlard Community Junior School and the Middlefield School of Technology he started as a volunteer at Danes House children's home in the Uphill area of Gainsborough.

From then on he studied to become a social worker and he went on to work in Lincoln for Lyat - a charitable trust for rehabilitating young offenders.

He was also know in town for owning a number of businesses including The Sun Hotel, Italian restaurant Rosario's, nightclub Frankies, The White Hart Hotel and entertainment venue Liberty's.

Maggie, who met Franco at West Lindsey Leisure Centre, said: "Even though Frank was born in Gainsborough you couldn't take his Italian roots out of him.

"He visited his native Naples regularly and still has uncles out there.

"Frank was an excellent Italian cook and as many people will know he loved his opera singing and he was always singing to customers in Rosario's.

"He was devastated when Pavarotti died last year and I think the two of them will be up there in heaven singing their hearts out."

Franco was also passionate about fundraising for local charities.

His kindness shone through when he and Maggie helped organise a collection after young Gainsborough mum Laura Henry died from a brain haemorrhage in July 2006.

Franco and Maggie rallied round the troops and organised a fancy dress collection in the Gainsborough pubs on a busy Saturday night and raised more than £600 to open a trust fund for Laura's son Harley.

Maggie says Franco also enjoyed kick boxing, was always a joker and was a big family man.

She concluded: "Frank was Mr Wonderful, my soulmate and will be a hard act to follow.

"I, his family, friends and staff will all miss him so much.