TRIBUTES to a tycoon who was the most generous benefactor the community has ever seen have come flooding in.

John Nike OBE passed away at the age of 81 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on December 25 following a six-year battle with cancer.

Friends, colleagues and those who have crossed paths with Mr Nike have paid homage to someone who was affectionately known as 'Mr Bracknell'.

"I first met him at a charity event and will always remember him fondly as a total gentleman, with unbounded generosity," said Cllr Tony Virgo, leader of the borough.

"He was one-of-a-kind and his family should be very proud of the work he did throughout his life."

Mr Nike was awarded Order of the British Empire in the 2003 New Years Honours list for his work within the Bracknell community.

Two years later he was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire before he was appointed as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough in 2013.

It followed his ownership of the John Nike Leisuresport complex in Amen Corner, John Nike Way, which members of the public have used since it was built 1987.

Thousands have benefitted from the use of the ice rink and dry ski slope since it was opened, including the Bracknell Bees hockey team.

Before the Bees’ EPIHL fixture against the Peterborough Phantoms on December 29 players, fans and staff fell silent for one minute to remember the life of Mr Nike.

During Mr Nike’s chairmanship from 1987 to 2005, the club won four cup championships and one playoff title.

A statement from the club read: “The Bracknell Bees players, staff, management and volunteers were all deeply saddened by the news.

“We would to like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Nike’s wife Sue, his family friends and employees at this time.”

Mr Nike also owned the Thames Valley Tigers, formerly the Southern Pirates, when they relocated to Bracknell in the early 90s.

Throughout the 90s they became one of the most popular and most successful sides to play in the British Basketball League, winning the league championship in 1994.

But like the Bees, money problems meant he had to make the ‘heart-breaking’ decision to pull the plug on funding the team, and they folded in 2005.

When she spoke to the News on Friday, December 30, Mr Nike’s wife Sue said she has already been inundated with messages of condolences from former Tigers' players.

“I’ve given up on my phone,” she said. “I’ve had hundreds of messages from all over the world.”

Funeral arrangements will be made in the coming days, but no place of burial has been decided yet, Sue said.

Company's in the Nike Group will be placed in the hands of his children, Christopher, 48 and Kathryn 46.

"He took greatest joy in helping others and making a difference to his local community,” Cllr Virgo added.

"He once said he wanted to be 'able to leave a legacy of his success for future generations to enjoy’ and this is how he will be remembered.

“He will be truly missed."