Plans are in the pipeline to set up another defibrillator in Whittlesey in memory of a popular businessman and retained fire fighter who has died unexpectedly.

Cambs Times: Malcolm James Bean.Malcolm James Bean. (Image: Archant)

The aim is to site the life-saving equipment outside the town’s fire station as a tribute to Malcolm Bean, who died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday (January 14).

Mr Bean, 57, ran the family estate agency business, Malcolm James, in Whittlesey for 20 years and had been an on call fire fighter since 1985.

In a fund raising plea on Facebook, Deborah Slator, of Defibrillators For All, said: “Malcolm was someone liked and admired by everyone who knew him. His contribution to local charities along with his sister Lorraine Bingley is unprecedented.

“How sad to lose such a man. He will be missed by many. We would like to place a defib in Malcolm’s memory, the preferred place would be the fire station, we have to wait to see if that is possible, and we now need your help to make it happen.

Cambs Times: Malcolm James Memorial.Malcolm James Memorial. (Image: Archant)

“Any donation will help to ensure we do him proud.”

His sister Denyse Bass said: “He will be sadly missed by his wonderful son Jordan, partner Jane, mum, dad, business partner and sister Lorraine, sister Denyse, nephews Jason, Adam, James, Tom, all the family and friends.”

The offices are open again after they were temporarily closed as a mark of respect.

Mr Bean was well known having been an on-call fire fighter locally for more than 30 years.

Cambs Times: Malcolm James Memorial.Malcolm James Memorial. (Image: Archant)

Whittlesey’s Watch Commander Mark Brown said: “With over 30 years of dedicated service, Malc was part of the fabric of Whittlesey Fire Station. He had a great sense of humour, jovial character and an easy going manner, so his sudden death has been devastating to us all.

“Malc was also a businessman with his own estate agency, where he would arrange his schedule around his fire service commitments to ensure that the local community had availability to a rapid fire service response.

“Malc was well-liked, loved and respected within the fire service, the community of Whittlesey and the surrounding area, and his family, and his passing will leave a massive void.”

Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland added: “It is a great sadness to have lost someone who was an integral part of not just Whittlesey Fire Station but also the village and community.

Cambs Times: Malcolm James Memorial.Malcolm James Memorial. (Image: Archant)

“He dedicated many years to the on-call service and in-turn, to protecting his community. It is moving to see floral tributes have been laid for Malcolm at the fire station and he will be sadly missed by his friends and the people of Whittlesey.

“Our thoughts are with his family and we are doing everything we can to support them.”

Before setting up the estate agency Mr Bean worked as a moulder at Baker Perkins in Peterborough.