PHILIP “Joe” Mercer’s life took him to the high seas with the Royal Navy, on the beat with the police and into office as a councillor.

Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, his family said, following his death on October 23 aged 77.

Born in Wokingham on May 19, 1935, Mr Mercer left school aged 14 and joined the Navy’s boys’ service. In 1951, he served aboard aircraft carrier HMS Theseus during the Korean War and in 1954 aboard HMS Colossus.

He was also in the thick of the 1956 Suez Crisis on the HMS Tyne, the last boat to leave the infamous conflict.

Shortly afterwards, he met wife Maisie, née Morrison, and left the Navy in April 1960 to join the Reading Borough Police Force.

He trained with the CID in 1968 and 1969 and moved to Wantage in 1972 where he remained in the division until he retired.

Daughter Jane Mercer-Rolls said he led an active life as a member of Wantage Town Council, Wantage Twinning Group and the Royal British Legion in East Challow.

He served two terms in office as mayor of Wantage during his time on the town council. His twinning activities took him as often as twice a year to the group’s German twin town of Seesen.

His daughter said: “He was a devoted family man, a social person who loved life and lived it. He was loved by all and respected for his achievements and we were all so privileged to have him in our lives. He will be sadly missed so very much.”

Mr Mercer, who lived in Wantage, leaves his wife, and three children, Jane and her brothers Leslie and David, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A service was held at Wantage Parish Church on Friday.