His family business, C.E. Bartlett Pty Ltd, which he began in 1956, has kept up with changing trends and new technology, and now employs more than 120 people at its Ballarat facilities.

The company was inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2006.

Mr Bartlett, born in 1925, first became familiar with working with canvas as a sailmaking apprentice with the Victorian Railways.

He served in World War 2 from 1943.

He became a sailmaker after the war, and began repairing tarpaulins as a business.

Quickly recognising the potential of synthetic materials, he expanded the business, producing tarps, curtains and blinds, and liners for tanks and pipes.

His company developed innovative new ways of fabricating and sealing synthetic fabrics, and has focused on reinvesting into developing new products.

A highlight was producing the covers for the MCG’s cricket pitch, and expanding to deliver international projects.

Mr Bartlett retired in 1994.

Three of his sons now serve as directors at the business, and many members of his extended family are still involved.

His funeral, at the Ballarat Funeral Centre, is on Friday at 10.30am.