Family and friends are mourning local legend Norman Kingston, who has died at his Rayleigh home after battling a long illness.
Mr Kingston, 88, of Great Wheatleys Farm, in Great Wheatley Road, grew up in Rayleigh and was a farmer in the town for almost all of his life.
The great-grandad was originally a dairy farmer but switched to arable farming just before the BSE crisis.
He also had a butcher's shop in Westcliff, was once president of the Rayleigh Rotary Club and was a pillar of the United Reformed Church in Crown Hill, Rayleigh.
Mr Kingston was the youngest ever deacon at the church and was a member of the choir for 60 years.
He met wife Eve, 87, at farming college in Writtle, near Chelmsford, in 1938 and joined the Home Guard during the Second World War.
Eve said today: "He had a very strong personality and was full of fun.
"He is the one person I've known that was never afraid of anything. He had a strong faith and his church meant a lot to him.
"He had a stroke ten years ago and despite losing his memory he always remained cheerful - he was incredible all through his life. He will be missed by a lot of people."
Mr Kingston, who died in his sleep on December 29, leaves four children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be at the United Reformed Church, Rayleigh, on January 10 and burial will be at the Eastwood churchyard of St Laurence Church.
Published Friday, January 3, 2003
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