Dr Neil Stirling, Castle Comfort's Honorary Ambassador, commented: "During my many years in the medical practice I got to know Gaz well. He was always helpful, informative popular and served the area will".

Keith Simpson of Castle Comfort Stairlifts said:
"I remember Gaz very well. His attention, service and enthusiasm offered to everyone was often better than could be obtained at the doctors so his shop was always busy - especially with the likes of me who regularly used the area's first blood pressure checking service".

Castle Comfort Stairlifts felt it appropriate to pay tribute to Mr Clapinski as he was known and respected by staff and directors.

In the Castle Comfort Clarion - www. castlecomfortclarion . com – the company has written: The past year has seen the sad passing of leading North Staffordshire pharmacist Gaz Clapinski at the age of just 57.

Mr Clapinski had been the Chairman of the National Pharmaceutical Association and consistently used his influence to battle for better services. Many of us take late night pharmacy opening for granted now, but Gaz pinoeered the concept.

In the 1980s he had his own business in High Lane Burslem, spearheading campaigns such as that for public awareness of the danger of used needles and out of date medicines and the fact that the likes of aspirin and paracetamol could be lethal if taken to excess.

Gaz will be sadly missed.