Family, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to an estate agent described as “an old-fashioned gentleman”.

Nigel Ellis, a director of Prickett and Ellis Estate Agents, in Highgate, north London, died peacefully on 19 February after a “short but courageous battle” with cancer, aged 75.

The fourth generation in the family firm, at work he was an “old-fashioned gentleman” who saw himself as a custodian of the business, while in his spare time he loved travel, motor racing, architecture and design.

The youngest of his three children, Philip Ellis, said: “We could not have wished for a more generous and loving father.

“He never left us in any doubt that he loved us and was proud of all of us. He leaves a hole in our hearts that won’t be filled. He will be sorely missed.”

Nigel Ellis was born in March 1949 and spent his childhood in Highgate and Barnet.

In 1973 he set off on what he described as a “round the world trip”, intending to drive to Australia to go surfing.

Enroute, after accidentally ending up surrounded by the military in Iraq, he stopped in Kuwait where he met Susan Ward, who was working for the Foreign Office at the time.

They returned to the UK and married in 1974, intending to return to the East but started working for the family business, where Nigel remained for the next 50 years.

At the firm, Nigel succeeded his father William (Tony) Ellis, his grandfather Alfred Ellis, and his great-grandfather Henry Ellis, who built what is today the Barbara Gibson Properties office, next door to The Woodman pub in Archway Road, Highgate.

Philip Ellis, who now works for the company with his brother Nicholas, said passing the business to his own children gave his father “great happiness”.

Philip Ellis said: “He (Nigel Ellis) always said he was a custodian, as the business belongs to his descendants, and theirs.

“The longevity of the company as a family business was something Nigel was immensely proud of.”

Nigel organised celebrations for the company’s 240th and 250th anniversaries at Kenwood House, chosen because the Pricketts worked there in the late 18th century, surveying and as joiners.

After he and Susan divorced in 1994, Nigel met Helen Jordan, his partner for the remaining 30 years of his life.

He was a keen traveller, especially to France, and an “avid hill climber”.

A motor racing enthusiast and long-standing Goodwood Road Racing Club member, he won many trophies in his Gilbern Invader Mk. II sports car.

He was also a regular visitor at the V&A museum, taking inspiration for many things, but most notably Prickett & Ellis’s four offices, each of which has its own architectural theme.

Christopher Underhill, managing director and senior valuer at Prickett & Ellis, said: “Nigel was a lifelong friend and mentor to me and was my guiding light as far as professionalism and work ethic goes.”

Describing Nigel as a long-term supporter of local schools, charities and community groups, he added: “He was an old-fashioned gentleman and a man of his word.”

Christopher Stone, a long-term friend, said Nigel was “the kindest man I have ever known”.

He added: “He always thought of others before himself and if he could help in any way he would.

“The world is a poorer place without him and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. He was an estate agent who could genuinely say, ‘Trust me, I’m an estate agent’.”

Nigel is survived by his three children, James, Nicholas and Philip, two grandchildren, Emily and Alfred, his daughters-in-law Jamie and Sarah, and his siblings Anthony, Christopher and Caroline.

Well-wishers who wish to pay their last respects are welcome to attend the funeral at 11am on 10 March at St Josephs RC Church in Highgate Hill.

Those wishing to make a donation can contact Rennie Grove Hospice in St Albans.