A FORMER chairman of South Lakeland District Council, who was the oldest resident of Heversham, has died, aged 89.

More than 200 people attended the funeral of Eric Proctor at St Peter's Parish Church in the village last Thursday. He died following a short illness with his family at his side.

His coffin was transported to the church using a 110-year-old antique bier that he had helped to restore.

Mr Proctor was one of five children, having two brothers and two sisters. Having to walk from age five to the local school in Levens, Mr Proctor left aged 14 to join his father’s building firm attending classes at Kendal College to supplement skills in all trades.

In 1943, aged 17 he joined the merchant navy, sailing around the Mediterranean, onto Egypt, through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, South Africa and the Seychelles.

After the war Mr Proctor returned to the family building business and in 1948 married Harriet and had two daughters, Christine and Patricia.

Everyone who knew the couple noted the obvious love and respect they had for each other and took pride in their appearance, being always smartly dressed. Following his father’s death in 1960, Mr Proctor took over the family business, which became very successful. As well as repairs and extensions many quality homes were built in the area, including the house that later became the family home.

With his place of business in Milnthorpe, Mr Proctor qualified as a member of the parish council and later became its chairman. He went on to be elected to South Lakeland District Council and served as its chairman for two years in the early '90s.

Over that period, proudly wearing the chain of office, he attended many civic functions and events, nearly always with wife Harriet by his side, meeting many celebrities as well as Princess Diana on her visit to South Lakeland and the Queen on a visit to Sedbergh. He and Harriet were also present at the Millennium event at the Dome and attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

But it was not all work and public service, Mr Proctor was intrinsically involved in bidding for lottery funding for a new bowling green in Heversham and enjoyed overseeing the building work of the facilities in use today. The bowling club in Heversham is still a thriving social activity in the village. There were other good works for the community over the many years including being on the board of governors at Heversham Grammar School and involvement in the Milnthorpe Alms House Trust.

Mr Proctor was a freemason, having joined Silverdale Lodge back in 1965. His commitment meant that during 450 occasions, Mr Proctor missed just five of those meetings, receiving a 50-year certificate only last year. In 1971 he became one of 30 founders of Heversham Lodge, and he was to be the last survivor. He joined other masonic orders and took on many offices and achieved high ranking honours in all of them.

Mr Proctor and his wife enjoyed a happy fulfilled life together and their devotion to each other was clear. In April 2014 Mrs Proctor's dementia overtook her and she was taken into care. These were dark distressing days for Mr Proctor while starting to cope with a serious health issues of his own. True to form, Mr Proctor came through it, insisting on his own independence remaining dignified and positive to his death.

Mr Proctor is survived by his wife, his two daughters and granddaughter.