Castle Point's oldest relative, Eric Joslin, passed at 106

All five generations of Eric’s family were able to attend the funeral, with great great great granddaughter Ava laying a wreath of poppy’s at the service.

And despite the lockdown measures, 15 of Mr Joslin’s family were able to attend the funeral at Pitsea crematorium, and Emma Jane, his granddaughter, told the Echo how his five carers who had looked after him throughout the coronavirus pandemic were able to attend.

The 50-year-old said: “I don’t have a bad memory of him at all.

“Everyone saw him on Zoom on Christmas Day. The last time I saw him was on Boxing Day, I bubbled with him throughout the pandemic. 

“He passed his in sleep on Boxing Day night, which is the way he wanted. He wanted to pass in his home with no trauma or suffering for anyone.”

Ava, 5, Eric's great great great granddaughter

Eric, who lived through two global pandemics after the Spanish Flu in 1918, was given a round of applause from his neighbours on Boyce View Drive in Benfleet on Wednesday, with some donning their suits and ties.

Emma continued: “He always wore a tie, and those on the live stream of the funeral had a tie on too. It was really emotional and it was the perfect send off for him.

“To have all of his carers there was really special. They have been amazing and have been worth their weight in gold since March.

“Eric was housebound after he broke his femur, and they couldn’t have looked after him better. He worked as a Freemason for 60 years so to have a representative from them was amazing.”

Eric on zoom with Rebecca Harris MP

And Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, who spoke to Eric two days before Christmas, added: “Sadly I only met him via Zoom a few days before he passed away, but we planned to meet in person after the pandemic. 

“He was sharp as a needle and was full of wonderful stories and sage advice.

“He lived a long and remarkable life and was very proud of his family. He will be very much missed”