A POPULAR pensioner killed in a car crash last week was described as a “brilliant grandad” by his family.

Tom Rose, 89, spent almost his entire life living in Carterton, only leaving briefly to serve in the Second World War.

The great-grandfather, of Burswin Road, died in the accident between Brize Norton and Curbridge, near the Caswell Lane junction, while driving with his nephew Kevin Rose on Monday last week.

Mr Rose’s 56-year-old son Steve, now based in Devon working as a financial auditor, said: “Everyone speaks very fondly of him and says what a character he was.

“It’s amazing, he could be out anywhere and go off speaking to people. He integrated with everyone and was very sociable.

“He was a brilliant grandad and the kids loved him to bits.”

His daughter Susan, 49, who now lives in Ohio, said: “He knew everyone – he would disappear down the road to get a loaf of bread and would come back three hours later.

“He was able to do everything at home. If something went wrong with the heating or water he would be out there doing the job.”

Mr Rose, who was born in Carterton, joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a private in 1944 and was posted to Burma before he was demobbed in 1946.

After leaving the Army, Mr Rose worked as a market gardener at his father Archie’s fruit and vegetable smallholding The Vineries in Burford Road, Carterton. He eventually took over the business before retiring when he was 65.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary, their two children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr Rose played for Carterton Football Club and the former Carterton Cricket Club in the 1940s and 1950s, while he was a member at Burford Golf Club from 1963 until 2006, winning the Collett Cup – now called the Brooks Bowl – in 1970 and 1985.

His son said that in later years he developed an engineering mind and enjoyed building items like flower boxes, wooden chairs and bird feeders.

Steve Rose said: “Dad always liked to be doing something active outside and was on the lookout to construct something all the time.

If ever there was anything mechanical that failed, he would rise to the challenge and come up with a means of getting it working again.

“That was his passion in later years and he would be very creative.”

Mr Rose died while driving a white Volvo V70, which collided with a blue VW Golf last Monday at about 2.45pm.

His nephew was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with serious but non-life threatening injuries but was discharged on Wednesday.

The Golf driver was airlifted to the JR and remained in a stable condition last night.

Police are still investigating the incident.

They have appealed for anyone with information to call them via the police inquiry centre on 101.

Mr Rose’s cousin Arthur, 89, who lives in Witney, said: “Tom knew a lot about local business and loved Carterton – it was the only place he really had an interest in.

“It was a terrific shock when we got the phone call because we’d only been talking to him the day before.”

Golf club secretary Robin Thompson said: “He was very popular when he played here and made a lot of friends.”

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