Coggeshall's convivial host Bruce Norton, a confidante to many including colourful restaurateur Peter Langan, took the secrets he heard to his grave.

The village and its visitors will remember him at the helm of Musketeers Wine Bar and later when he briefly joined forces with Peter to open Langans.

Bruce, who died on November 11, leaves a widow, Glenys, and sons Ben and Sam and their families, and his parents, former Chelmsford Mayor Jean Norton and her husband Vic.

His recent funeral at Ramsden Bellhouse parish church was very much a family affair - conducted by son Father Sam, of St Dunstan's, Stepney, London, while the undertaker was cousin Michael Carter, of Wickford.

Many humorous anecdotes were shared with the congregation, which included Peter Case, one of the many Fleet Street journalists to set up their headquarters in Musketeers during the murder hunt following the disappearance of local doctor's wife Diane Jones.

He told of going on holiday with Bruce to Turkey and calling into a local bar only for him to be mistaken for royalty.

They were given copious free hospitality by the shop owner who was convinced Bruce was Prince Michael of Kent pretending to be an ordinary tourist.

Tributes from his sons schoolfriends recall how he laughed through his great beard and recalled their parties where he showed them how to drink 'not to little, not too much, life's lessons that have remained with them.

Hailed as a "truly good man", few, however, knew the extent of his kindness for he was also a private and modest man.

Standing over six feet tall and sporting a magnificent beard he was a gentle giant, one that customers - who invariably became good friends - would pour out their troubles to, and he never betrayed a confidence.

It was appropriate that he put his listening talents for the greater good, and was a telephone Samaritan, acting as chairman of its Colchester Branch.

Chelmsford-born Bruce was educated at St John's school, Billericay, and then he went to HMS Conway, Anglesey, where he trained to go to sea but decided to stay on land.

He fell in love with Glenys at Thurrock Technical College where he studied engineering before joining his father's company, Norton Buckets, of Ramsden Heath.

However, he hankered for the sea, and ran his own small fleet of coasters between England and the continent, skippering often. He also converted two Thames barges into homes for his family.

Bruce also ran a chandlers and boatyard at Heybridge Basin and, as eldest son, was proud to act as escort when his mother served at Chelmsford Mayor 1989-90.

He was chairman of the Jean Norton Trust Fund for children with learning difficulties, particularly dyslexia.

Coggeshall will remember him as mine host at the Musketeers and later when he joined forces with colourful Peter Langan, of London's Langans Brasserie, to re-open as the second Langans.

It was a different style of restaurant, but one where Bruce again made many friends and was described by Peter as "the best front of house man I have ever met."

In fact, Peter would often pour out his troubles into Bruce's sympathetic ear. If he could help he would, but often just being a good listener was enough.

While running Musketeers he helped create Top Trucks Removals and returned to that company for the last three years of his life.

His other passion was wine and he was a member of Chaine de Rotisseurs, a French gourmet association.

Bruce could trace his ancestry back to the time of William the Conqueror, his family coming from South Creak in Norfolk, and once while looking at the brasses in its parish church another visitor remarked that he could see a resemblance to a bearded knight.

Published Friday November 30, 2001