A solicitor who had a significant impact on Bungay and its people has died at the age of 78.
Roger Allen was a former Town Reeve, secretary of the Bungay Rotary Club for many years and a non-stipendiary minister at Holy Trinity Church.
Current Town Reeve Stephen Honeywood, who had known Mr Allen for more than 40 years, said it was always a pleasure working with him.
“Roger’s involvement with the town of Bungay over so many years has been significant, and I am grateful for the opportunity to record our thanks, on behalf of all those who knew and worked with him.
"He will be greatly missed," he said.
Rotary club president Town Sprake acknowledged his important contribution to the organisation.
Mr Sprake said: “For many years Roger was a vital part of the Bungay Rotary Club, serving as secretary for 23 years.
"He was a dedicated, well-organised Rotarian and without his support and advice as secretary successive presidents would have found their roles much more difficult.
"He guided us all through.
"He is already greatly missed at our weekly lunches and other events, and will leave a big gap in the life of the club.”
Mr Allen died last month following a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
He was born at Gidea Park in Romford, where his grandfather was mayor in 1937, and was educated at Felstead School before studying automotive engineering at Loughborough College.
While living in London he served as a district councillor for Brentwood, and he met his wife, Sue, at Gidea Park Tennis Club.
They were married in 1969.
A year later Mr Allen had a change of career, joining Walter Smith and Co’s law firm in Romford and training as a solicitor and studying at law school.
In 1978 the couple moved to Suffolk and Mr Allen joined Hugh Martinez’s law firm in Halesworth, living in Ilketshall St Margaret.
He set up his own firm of solicitors in Bungay in 1981, and following the death of Mr Martinez took over that firm too.
He then amalgamated with Cadge and Gilbert, taking on their offices in Bungay and Loddon.
The firm is now Allens, Cadge and Gilbert and is headed by his daughter, Victoria, and Theresa Utting.
In Bungay Mr Allen quickly became involved in the community joining the Bungay Rotary Club where he was secretary for 23 years.
His dedicated service saw him awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, the movement’s highest honour. He served as its president in 2006-07.
Rotary colleague Graham May said: “He served the club in many ways. Many past presidents have been grateful for Roger’s weekly ‘service sheet’.
"The president’s job is a doddle compared to that of a good secretary, and Roger was a good secretary.
"He was a great servant to the club, and is warmly remembered by all Rotarians.”
He also became a foundation feoffee on Bungay Town Trust, and was Town Reeve of Bungay in 2010-11.
While living in Ilketshall St Margaret Mr Allen felt the calling to become a priest, and he was ordained as Reverend in 1993.
He worked with churches in the Saints parishes, and later as a non-stipendiary priest at Holy Trinity Church, Bungay
He was also a governor of Bungay High School and trustee of the Old Grammar School Foundation.
Mr Allen's funeral service was at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, January 5.
The service was taken by Rev Josh Bailey and the sermon was said by Rev David Spicer, former warden at the All Hallows Convent at Ditchingham.
Mr Allen leaves his wife, Sue, two sons and a daughter and two grandchildren.
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