A MUCH-loved and popular Didcot greengrocer, has died at the age of 89, after many years of failing health.

Joseph Moxon, known locally as 'Joe', passed away at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after many years of failing health. He leaves his wife of 68 years, Ruby Moxon, 89, who cared for him and three children, Ann, David, and Judith.

His funeral was held at Didcot Methodist Church, the same church where the pair were married, on November 2.

Mr Moxon served as a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War where he was based in Kent and Rhyl in Wales.

A Worshipful Master at Wallingford's Masonic Lodge during the 1960s, he became a Didcot parish councillor in 1948 and also the first chairman of the Didcot Conservative Club.

Mr Moxon owned JC Moxon's Grocer and Greengrocer on Lower Broadway, Didcot, and later a wet fish shop next door, until he retired in 1988. He also owned a nursery on Park Road.

His daughter, Ann Sawyer, said: "I am very proud of him as a Dad, and proud of his achievements in the family business, because he worked so hard and he was liked and known by so many people.

"He always used to read The Grower magazine and he loved the countryside and growing things.

"He was one of the old-school shop keepers who always showed interest in his customers and helped them with their deliveries. "It was lovely at Christmas when we served outside in the snow with all the Christmas trees."