A PRUDHOE man who dedicated decades of his life to charity has died at the age of 87.

Owen Davis died peacefully at Havendene Care Home on Sunday, June 7.

He and his wife, Irene, are well known in the town for their many years of service with the Royal British Legion.

The couple, who would have celebrated their blue sapphire wedding anniversary on Boxing Day this year, were active members together for 40 years.

Having both served in the Royal Navy – Irene in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Nursing Service, and Owen serving under Prince Phillip in the Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm between 1951 and 1958 – they felt compelled to join.

The couple took on a variety of roles within the women’s and men’s sections respectively, including standard bearer and county treasurer.

In 2015, they were honoured as Northumberland Local Heroes for their services to the Prudhoe branch of the legion.

On the day of his funeral, Front Street in Prudhoe was lined with people who knew him looking to pay their respects.

In a letter, Irene wrote to thank those who turned out.

She wrote: "With this coronavirus around, the family were upset we could not give him the send-off he deserved.

"Owen gave 40 years of voluntary service to the Royal British Legion and 22 years as a police special constable, and 48 years to masonry.

"How wrong I was. Mr Devlin managed to get the Poppy Hearse. The driver is with the Royal Marine Reserves and wore his uniform.

"Owen was with the Fleet Air Arm for 8 years. Neighbours and friends on Moorlands were out to say farwell.

"Owen spent his last two years in Havendene, and as we turned onto Front Street there was the union standard with members of the RBL and Women's Section, staff from Havendene, masons, and friends.

"At the Crematorium there was our granddaughter with the RBL standard and the Royal Naval Association with their standard, and several members who escorted the hearse to the chapel door, where the Last Post and Reveille were played.

"Also to welcome into the chapel were several members of the Masonic Fraternity.

"Our vicar, Rev. Freyhan, gave a lovely service. To all, the family will be forever grateful. Also, for the lovely cards and beautiful flowers I received, thank you."

Owen also leaves behind his children, Derek, Joan and Colin, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.