FORMER Abingdon greengrocer Norman Stimpson has died from emphysema at the age of 86.

Mr Stimpson was born in Abingdon on November 8, 1923, and had one sister, Evelyn.

He joined the Second World War effort in 1941, flying Spitfires and other aircraft, and was stationed in South Africa and Egypt.

After the war he returned to Abingdon and met Daria Ackling, whom he married at Dry Sandford Church in 1949. The couple took over from his father, Fred Stimpson, running his green grocery and grocery shops in Ock Street.

They lived above one of the shops and after Mrs Stimpson gave birth to their two sons, Paul and Michael, they moved to Drayton in 1958.

In the early 60s the two shops were pulled down and replaced with one store.

The couple retired in 1986 and moved to Caldecott Road, Abingdon, in 2005.

During the floods of July 2007 they were evacuated to the Kassam Stadium for a week. The water narrowly missed their home.

Mrs Stimpson, 80, said: “Norman loved his projects and always had to be doing something. He was chairman of Drayton Village Hall and was very proud he helping raise money and built a new hall in the 60s and 70s.

“He was also a member of Drayton Players and loved being one of the two stooges in the pantomime.

“Everyone knew Norman, he was very social and a kind and considerate man.

“He used to smoke, as everyone did – it used to be glamorous. Now if there’s one thing I would say it would be that people should give up the habit.”

Mr Stimpson was president of Abingdon Bowling Club, Abingdon Chamber of Trade and chairman of Drayton Parish Council.

He died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on February 20.

Mr Stimpson is survived by his wife, sons and grandsons, James and Jack. His funeral is at Drayton Parish Church tomorrow at 10.30am, with a private burial at Dry Sandford Parish Church.