Don McGregor, a well-known member of the community in both Abingdon and Dorchester-on-Thames, has died aged 78.

Mr McGregor moved to Abingdon from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, where he had been head of St Thomas More High School for Boys.

Working as education officer at Huntercombe Youth Custody Centre , near Wallingford, and then head of department at Henley College, he later attended Brasenose College in Oxford where he gained an MSc in Educational Studies.

He was a prominent figure in Abingdon and, on retirement, became involved in many local organisations. He worked for the Citizens' Advice Bureau, was chairman of governors at Our Lady's Convent Senior School, a member of the Abingdon branch of Amnesty Internation and a member of the local Probus club.

He regularly helped the team of readers for the Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage Talking Newspaper.

In 2000, Mr McGregor moved to Dorcester-on-Thames with his partner Helen Wigmore.

Closely involved with the museum and historical society, he had recently finished Lest We Forget, a book about men from Dorchester on gave their lives in the two World Wars. He was instrumental in contacting the Commonwealth War Graves Commision and organising a grave for a young man from the village 88 years after his death.

Mr McGregor moved to Cornwall in March to be close to his two daughters and their families. He is survived by Helen, his four children and five grandchildren.