POPULAR Pakenham-born identity Leslie Hilton (Les) Vagg, was well known for his business acumen and a long association with sport.

Whether it was bowls, baseball, cricket or football, he was known at many levels.

He was a shining light at the Dandenong Club Bowls Club, where he played pennant until he was 82. He was a former club president, club champion and was made a life member.

He was a member of the Dandenong A baseball club, later serving as a referee and on the baseball association tribunal.

Mr Vagg was also a vice president of the Dandenong Football Club in the mid 1960s and a life member of the Dandenong Cricket Club, which he helped start, and the Dandenong Club .

Daughter Val Hill of Dandenong, said her father as a devoted and caring family man.

"Dad was a wonderful man. He never had an operation in his life. He was very privileged."

Mr Vagg was son of the late George and Pearl Vagg. He grew up on his parents' dairy farm and attended school in Pakenham.

During World War II, he joined the RAAF and was stationed in Bairnsdale. A foot problem prevented him being sent overseas and he worked on the mechanical side of the planes.

He met his future wife, Joyce Gourley, when she was in the WAAF and the young couple made their home in Dandenong.

Mr Vagg opened a sports store in Foster Street.

Mr Vagg was later employed by McEwans for 31 years, managing stores at Dandenong, Frankston, Ferntree Gully and Chadstone.

He leaves behind his daughter Lorraine, who lives in Gippsland, younger daughter Valerie, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

More than 300 mourners attended the funeral service last last month.