THE family of a former nightclub owner have paid tribute to a "generous man" who "brought entertainment to Cleethorpes".

When Tommy Lee owned the Sands Club, in Cleethorpes, he pulled in big names such as The Supremes, Ken Dodd, Billy Fury, and Bernard Manning.

The well-known entrepreneur was also a family man, who was "generous to a fault", say his wife and three daughters.

Keen sportsman Tommy met wife-to-be Joan Gylettie in 1953 when she was studying at the YMCA, on Heneage Road, where he played various sports – and they stayed together until he died, 59 years later.

Tommy was a gas engineer at the time and in 1960, he was awarded the British Empire Medal for bravery, after he saved the lives of four people when construction workers broke a gas pipe on Park Street.

"There was an explosion and he lifted a wall to help people in the house escape, then fell unconscious as soon as they were out. He said he never knew how he did it, you just find strength in situations like that," said Joan.

Tommy and his wife started life in the entertainment empire with The Pier Hotel – known as The Submarine – and then bought the Sands Club in 1974, and later, the Casablanca Club.

The couple have three daughters, Tracy, Dianne, and Taryn, who all have fond memories of growing up with the legendary Sands Club.

Taryn, who is now a barrister, said he taught them all to believe that anything was possible.

"He was a strong believer that if you put the work in, you could achieve anything and he passed that on to us," she said.

Tracy said he was "funny, witty, and would do anything for his family".

Tommy was also a man who did a lot for charity and used to hold charity events to raise money for scooters for the disabled, and hosted events for the local special Olympics at the Casablanca.

He once organised for a ship, The Lord Nelson, to dock in Grimsby from the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which takes people with disabilities on sailing expeditions on classic boats.

When he retired from the entertainment industry, he did voluntary work for ACE advocacy, offering support and advice to vulnerable people.

He passed away on February 5, aged 75, after a long battle with illness.

All those who knew Tommy Lee are invited to his funeral at 3pm on Friday, February 17, at Grimsby Crematorium. There will be a celebration of his life after the service, at Cromwell Banqueting Suite, on Kings Road.

Family announcements begin on page 27 of today's Grimsby Telegraph.