A LONDON docker turned businessman whose firm were cleaners to the Queen has died, aged 63.

David O'Connor died on December 14, 2011, after becoming ill with mesothelioma in February last year.

His funeral took place on Monday, January 9 at Herongate Wood cemetery.

David was born in Wapping, London, in and started DOC Cleaning company in 1972 at the same time he was working as a stevedore – dock labourer.

After work or if work was slack, he and his friend Bobby Andrews – who later became his business partner – would go 'jobbing' around London.

One of their first jobs was informally at the Houses of Parliament.

But when the docks were shut down in 1981, they concentrated on establishing their fledging company and soon had a client list, cleaning some of the most prestigious buildings in London.

These included Buckingham Palace, the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, the National Gallery, the Bar Council and Tower 42, formerly the NatWest Tower, as well as Parliament.

In 2008, DOC Cleaning was granted the esteemed Royal Warrant.

David's fiancee, Tina Borris, 52, who lived with him at their home in Alexander Lane, Shenfield, for seven years and nursed him for the last four years, said: "He was so proud of that. He had applied seven times before that. They don't give them out willy-nilly.

"He was an absolutely wonderful man, I don't have a bad word to say about him.

"I miss him so much. I write to him every night. It hasn't sunk in yet."

His first job was spraying asbestos, which he did all over the country, for two years from the age of 15.

But although the money was good, he was advised the risks were too great. Cases of mesothelioma have been linked to exposure to asbestos.

Tina said: "I've always thought it was that stint that gave him the confidence that helped him make the business so successful later on."

David then worked as a bus driver, but hated it. On the day he quit he found his application for the docks had been accepted.

Tina said: "The cleaning company was a very well-run family business.

"The secret was Dave's charm and personality."

He leaves behind a fiancee, three sisters, a son, daughter, grandson and two granddaughters, as well as three step-daughters, a step-grandson and a step-granddaughter.

His business partner, Bob Andrews, said: "He will be sadly missed by me because we had some great times together and go back a long time through thick and thin."

A statement from DOC Cleaning said: "It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our chairman, Dave O'Connor, who sadly passed away last week.

"Although to be expected, Dave's passing has come as a great shock to everybody connected with the company that he helped establish.

"Dave was a very thoughtful and kind-hearted man who will be fondly remembered by all of those people he came into contact with, not to mention being sorely missed by everybody at DOC Cleaning."