The Carey family confirmed his passing on Tuesday.

A family statement said: “It is with heavy hearts we share that on Tuesday 14th January, Tom Carey, one of the three founding brothers of the Carey Group, sadly passed away.

“Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and friend to  many. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and close friends, whom we ask  you to keep in your thoughts and prayers.

“Thank you to everyone who has already expressed their condolences – we know  from these how loved and respected Tom was and that he will be deeply missed by  many.

“Tom was lucky enough to meet and work with so many good people. He had lots of  fond memories and stories that he shared with us all in his unique way and with his  dry sense of humour.

“We, the family, now ask for privacy at this time to allow us to come to terms with this  loss.”

The news comes just four months after the death of his brother John Carey.

Brothers John, Tom and Pat started the firm in 1969 after moving to London from Ireland.

The “three brothers and a van” started a groundworks contracting company called PJ Carey Plant Hire (Oval) Ltd which evolved into the current contracting group.