TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Worcester man who has died.

Arthur Burgess, 88, died with his family around him on February 21.

Mr Burgess’ son David paid tribute on behalf of the family, saying: “We could not have wished for anyone better as a father and grandfather.

“We are very proud of him, and what he has achieved in his lifetime. The family will miss him dearly. He loved teaching and was passionate about learning and passing knowledge on to others.”

“He had a real energy, and he had great drive and enthusiasm to help others and change the world for the better. He made the world a better place and was a great example for us all to follow.”

Mr Burgess was born in 1930, joining the RAF in the 1950s and serving in Egypt and Northern Ireland.

After leaving the army, he became a teacher in Liverpool before moving to Bromsgrove in 1967 as a Senior Lecturer in Automotive Engineering, remaining there until he retired.

When the family moved to Worcester in the late 1960s, Arthur became involved with St John’s Church as a member of the parochial church council.

He was also a Sunday School teacher for more than twenty years in St John’s.

His work with youth training schemes included participation in the BBC careers guidance scheme, assisting the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and he was a long serving judge on the Young Engineer competition during most of the 1990s.

He was also involved with the parent teacher associations at both Pitmaston Primary and Christopher Whitehead Language College during the time his two sons, David and Graham, were at the schools.

He also became honorary secretary of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Occupational Health Group, from the late 1970s through to the mid 1980s.

Mr Burgess was instrumental in establishing the Worcester and District Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. He became honorary secretary for the branch for about 20 years

He was recognised by the society for his services and was presented with an award by actor Richard Briers.

He went on to be involved with Age Concern, Community Action (Malvern), Primary Care Group and ACCESS (Worcester), and also ran a Saturday club for Parkinson’s.

He was also a member of the Worcester Branch of the Royal Air Force Association and he held the office of secretary for a number of years. He was also involved with neighbourhood watch, Worcester Civil Society and the Battle of Worcester Society.

Mr Burgess’ funeral was held yesterday in Worcester.