AN “enthusiastic and vibrant” businessman who died aged just 46 will be sorely missed by the West Oxfordshire community, former colleagues said last night.

James McIntyre owned lightbulb suppliers Abacus Supplies and founded networking groups Abacus Events and Witney Big Breakfast.

The married father-of-three, who was known as Jamie, was found dead at his home in Garner Close, Carterton, on Monday last week.

Police are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious. An inquest opened and adjourned into his death on Monday. Chris Clinkard, who runs Witney-based firm The Beautiful Group and purchased Abacus Events from Mr McIntyre last year, said: “Jamie was a vibrant and enthusiastic guy who had an innate ability to talk to anyone and could find something in common with them.

“Everyone who knew Jamie would tell you how his life revolved around his family and his children.”

Mr Clinkard added: “He has always been a prolific networker and has been involved with just about every networking group across Oxfordshire and he will be sorely missed by us all.”

Mr McIntyre was chairman of Abacus Events for 18 months, until November 2012, and was chairman of Witney Big Breakfast for under a year until early 2012.

He was an airframe technician in the Royal Air Force until 1989 and ran Abacus Supplies for about 10 years.

His hobbies included angling, kayaking and gardening and he travelled to Argentina with his family in July last year to fish.

Mike Leggett, partner of Southill Partnership in Charlbury, said: “Jamie did an awful lot for bringing Witney business together over the years.”

Brendon Cross, managing director of Hexagon and STL Communications in Witney, said: “Jamie was full of energy and enthusiasm for everything he was doing. It is such a sad loss and puts a lot of things into perspective for everyone.”

Martyn Stacey, senior partner at Stanger Stacey & Mason Solicitors in Witney, said: “Jamie was very supportive of other people who were in business and was always keen to help them.

“He is going to be really sadly missed by the Witney business community as a whole.”

Will Barton, West Oxfordshire District Council business development officer, said: “Jamie was enthusiastic and had an extraordinary gift for selling stuff. He was a very genuine bloke and a huge character, and it is just going to be a lot quieter without him.”

A funeral service is due to be held at Shilton Church on Monday at 12.15pm.

There will be a collection for grief support charity SeeSaw and the family has asked people to wear bright clothing. A reception will be held afterwards at The Blue Boar in Witney from 2pm.