AN Oxford teacher and freemason has passed away after his family said he 'couldn't refuse a job offer from the Man upstairs'.

Peter David Prescott, who taught at two Oxford schools and was a member of Horspath Parish Council, died on Sunday, August 5, aged 92.

His family said he had been an 'honourable, caring and compassionate man' who had 'taken up his new role in Paradise'.

Born in Dover in 1926, the young Peter was evacuated by mistake to Ebbw Vale, instead of Monmouth, in 1941 at the height of the Second World War.

The error had a happy ending as it was there that he met his future wife Barbara Leighton. They were married in 1951 in Maidstone Parish Church, Kent, and began his training as 'good husband material'.

Their son Bob joked: "It was to be the secret ingredient that helped their marriage to stand the test of time for 67 years."

The couple welcomed their first child, Bob, in 1955, a year after the arrival of the family dog Toby who was 'tasked with his upbringing'. In 1963 the family moved from Westgate-on-Sea in Kent to Old Marston in Oxford. The year after, a daughter, Carolyn, was added to the tribe.

When the family first moved to the city, Mr Prescott taught at East Oxford School in Union Street. He later moved to Isis Middle School in Donnington where he became deputy headteacher.

His son said many of his ex-pupils would remember him with 'great affection'.

A mason for more than 60 years, Mr Prescott became a member of lodges in Dover and later Oxford, and was involved in their fundraising activities.

His son said he was also a keen wood-worker and even made a chess board which has brought pleasure to the whole family.

After retiring in 1989, Mr Prescott continued to serve his community as a member of Horspath Parish Council, helping to raise funds for village and church causes.

He helped organise the annual fireworks displays on the Bowley Field and enjoyed helping build the bonfire. He was also the chairman for the senior residents' association for many years.

Mr Prescott passed away after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and a short illness. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren – Emily, Christopher, Neil, Emma, Cara, Adam, Nick, Jamie and Hollie – and five great grandchildren.

They will be celebrating his life at St Giles’ Church, Horspath, at 3.30pm on Wednesday, August 22. Refreshments will be served for family and friends afterwards at Brookfield Christian Care Home, Little Bury, Oxford, OX4 7UY.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society can be sent to Mid-counties Cooperative Funeral Care, 2 Hendred Street, Cowley, Oxford. OX4 2ED or can be given in memory online at alzheimers.gov.uk