A VERY popular former Lochgelly businessman, Peter Capaldi, 83, has died.

Peter's dad was born in Italy but came to Scotland and lived in the West of Scotland.

When his mum and dad came to Fife on a day out they were so taken by the Fife coastal communities they decided they wanted to come to live in the Kingdom.

They lived in Lochgelly and Mr Capaldi ran the Cyclists' Rest, in Auchterderran Road, a chip shop with an ice cream parlour, next door.

Mr Capaldi left the shops to his sons, Peter and Dom, and after a few years Peter bought out his brother and put his idea in action to create a restaurant.

That was in 1975 and Peter, and wife Jean, were to run it as a highly successful business until the mid 1990s and then they sold it on.

The restaurant continued to run successfully for several more years while Peter became a salesman for Dolphin Showers.

By this time the couple, who had two daughters, were living in the Glenrothes area, but Jean died in December 2017.

Peter's nephew, Danny Buchanan, remembered his uncle: "Peter and Jean worked really hard at making Capaldi's Restaurant the sort of place people went to from all over Fife and beyond.

"Even when they had sold the business he was still working for Dolphin and was a highly successful salesman."

Peter's grand-daughter, Rebecca, said about her granddad: "It is with a heavy heart I have to announce that Peter Capaldi has sadly passed away.

"He was a great man that ran a family business in Lochgelly which brought our community together many times with his excellent fish and chips, restaurant and ice cream business, that I'm sure many of you are aware of . He was also such a lovely family member and was there for me many times".

Peter's funeral service takes place on Monday August 5 at St Mary's Church, Leslie, at 9.30am and afterwards at Kirkcaldy Crematorium.