A WELL-known Ray-leigh resident who lived in the town for most of his life has died peacefully at the age 84.

Born in London in 1923, Ken Bocking moved to the town at the age of four and was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys, where he excelled in languages.

During the Second World War, he was stationed at Saltburn, Yorkshire, where he met and married his wife, Dorothy.

Mr Bocking went on to complete further Army service in West Africa before being demobbed, after which he returned to Rayleigh where he lived for the rest of his life.

After a civil service career with the Ministry of Health, in London, and later Customs and Excise in Southend, Mr Bocking took early retirement to help his wife in her costume hire business, in Westcliff.

He took full retirement in the late 1980s.

Mr Bocking had a diverse range of interests and was a keen gardener and photographer. He had a particular interest in antiques and an encyclopaedic knowledge to match.

He was chairman of Rochford Arts Council for several years and was a vice-president of Rayleigh Operatic and Dramatic Society, where Dorothy was frequently to be found on the stage.

Mr Bocking was also an animal lover, keeping a number of dogs and, in the 1950s, even a goat.

He was a dedicated family man who always made time for his five grandchildren.

Mr Bocking remained active until a few days before his death, taking regular holidays.

Despite increasing frailty, he learned to use his computer and research his family tree. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Stephen and Colin.

His funeral took place at Southend Crematorium on Tuesday, July 10.