Obituary - Ivan "Eric" Standing

Eric - real name Ivan - left behind wife Judy, son Donald, and daughter Patricia Stanley.

His was once a familiar face to shoppers in Western Road as he worked for Payne's greengrocers, which became Ripley's, then situated opposite the Observer building.

Patricia remembers helping him wheel out trolleys of fruit and vegetables in the early morning and line them outside the shop, and that his window display once won a prestigious award.

She said: "He was well known locally for working in the greengrocers.

He was courteous, fair and jovial...but he was a serious-minded chap.

"Everybody would remember him for the little woolly hats he used to wear. He lost his hair in the 1980's quite suddenly through back problems, and he didn't have a hair on his head.

"He was a hard worker...he would get up at five in the morning and never stop until nine at night, except for a bite to eat."

She also used to occasionally accompany him on deliveries to local schools such as Winceby House and Charters Towers.

Eric grew up in Horsham and during the war served in The Signals Regiment. He settled in Bexhill in 1963 having lived in St Leonards. He finished his working life helping out at Ripley's smaller grocery in Little Common and lived with Judy just off Wrestwood Road.

Patricia believes Eric was one of the founding members of an archery club called the Hastings and St Leonards Bowmen, and was both president and chairman of that club.

He also dedicated many years to working with 1st Hastings cubs and scouts, and enjoyed organising sports and entertainment, such as the gang shows which were a huge success.

Patricia commented: "He was obviously very special to me but he also touched the hearts of many young lads in Hastings and St Leonards - they must remember him."

The funeral will be held on Tuesday at Eastbourne crematorium at 12.15pm. Members of the Royal Sussex Regiment will attend the event and are to form a Guard of Honour.