THE husband of a dance teacher who showed three generations how to waltz and tango has died just weeks before his 100th birthday.

John Pitcher was married to late wife Elsie for more than 70 years before she passed away in 2010, aged 98.

The couple had celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary in 2007.

Together they ran the Elise School of Dance for more than 30 years.

Mr Pitcher's family were preparing to celebrate his centenary at his Holland-on-Sea home when he died last Thursday.

Son David had travelled over from Australia early after his father became ill.

"He has a very quiet person but he had a very good sense of humour," said David.

"He worked behind the scenes at the dance school but he was her rock and helped a lot, transporting all the kids to the school."

The couple were next-door neighbours in Beaumont Avenue, Clacton, when they met.

They married at St John’s Church, Great Clacton, in 1937.

Mr Pitcher worked as an engineer for Radio Relay as an engineer while qualified dance teacher Elsie took classes in local halls.

During the war, he served as a sergeant with the Royal Corps of Signals, seeing action in Africa with the Desert Rats and later in Italy.

The couple launched a purpose-built dance school called the Elise Ballroom in Valley Road in the 1960s, staging competitions and demonstrations with champion dancers from all over the world.

Elsie continued to teach into her late 80s.

David said: "Everyone over the age of 65 knew them very well and they did a lot for charity."

Mr Pitcher's wife was six years his senior and called him her "toyboy".

He leaves son David, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral details have not been confirmed.