A BRIDPORT man who lived to entertain others has died aged 89.

Dennis Ackerman was diagnosed with cancer last September and was given three months to live.

He survived for nine and in that time wrote his memoirs as an apprentice with Brit Engineering to raise money for Weldmar Hospice and the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

He also recorded a dvd of his music to leave as a legacy for his large family.

His three sons, Keith, Graham and Kevin, who all still live in the town, paid tribute to their father.

Keith said: "His life was to entertain people, that was his main joy."

The family grew up with dad Dennis always going accompanied by his beloved piano accordion, playing wherever and whenever he could.

Graham said: "He was playing at Sidney Gale right up until the end."

Mr Ackerman wrote his fundraising book in memory of his late wife Muriel, who died in 2010, and for his workmates and friends.

Mr Ackerman was born in Bridport and went to Bridport Central School, leaving at 14 - the year war broke out.

His first job was at Stead and Simpson but loving Meccano, engineering was always going to be his first choice.

Midway through 1940 he was taken on as an apprentice at Brit Engineering.

As the youngest apprentice there was lots of sweeping and tidying for Mr Ackerman but with the war he was set to rough drilling steel blanks for cannon mounting rings for the 'Westland whirlwind' fighter aircraft.

His first wage was two shillings 11d.

One Monday morning about ten women turned up in boiler suits with red lapels, conscripted to do war work.

One of those, Dulcie Gibbs, well know Bridport dance teacher, who persuaded Mr Ackerman and three or four others to attend dance classes in her studio.

Mr Ackerman said it was a useful skill and helped him meet his beloved wife Muriel on the dance floor in the Drill Hall.

Men in the workshop discovered Mr Ackerman could identify both British and German planes so his job, when the air raid alarm rang he was to take his steel helmet and whistle and climb on the roof and keep his eyes open.

All employees were also required to do a fire watch, grouped in parties of three.

Bunk beds were supplied in an old cottage and watchers had to sleep there from 9pm to 7am.

Mr Ackerman married in July 1946, at the age of 20

Times were hard just after the war and he couldn't buy his future wife an engagement ring, but made up for it, buying a ruby ring for their 40th wedding anniversary, an emerald on their 55th and a diamond ring on their 60th.

After 12 years at the Brit Mr Ackerman joined Sharpe and Tone, agricultural engineers.

He stayed for 12 or so years and then went back to the Brit, before going into business for himself until he was 75.

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