A much-loved family man who played an active part in the communities in which he lived has died aged 84.

Nigel Seamons, who spent much of his life in Bungay but moved to Denton with his wife, Maureen, 28 years ago, was involved with football, the Sea Scouts and their popular Gang Show, dancing and the Denton Variety Club which stages an annual pantomime at the village hall.

Born in Nethergate Street, Bungay, he was educated at Bungay primary and secondary modern schools.

With Maureen Patrick his sweetheart from his schooldays, as a youth he played football for Barsham City, and joined Bungay Sea Scouts.

Later he became a Scout leader and continued to be involved for many years, particularly with the annual Gang Show, producing and taking part in it with his two sons, Paul and Mark.

After leaving school he became a printers’ maintenance engineer apprentice at Bungay book printers Clays.

After completing his National Service in 1960-62 with the Army Ordnance Corps in Shropshire he returned there, and worked for the company for 47 years in all, retiring in 2000.

With football a great interest for him, he was a season ticket holder at Norwich’s Carrow Road for some years, coached the Kings Road Rangers junior club at Bungay, and was secretary of the Anglian Junior Football League for a number of years.

Mr Seamons married his childhood sweetheart at Bungay Congregational Church - now Emmanuel Church - in 1958.

The couple enjoyed many holidays abroad and in this country, including caravanning – with an annual family camping stay at Waxham a particular favourite.

Highly respected and popular in both communities in which he lived, Mr and Mrs Seamons joined in many other activities in Denton.

A member of the Denton Cider Club, Mr Seamons was among those who gave apples to the cider press – but he never drank the produce.

During his life he gave nearly 100 pints of blood to the National Transfusion service.

Tributes paid

Heart problems saw him undergo major heart surgery in 2005, and he recovered well.

But his health deteriorated over the last 18 months and in April he was diagnosed with cancer.

Tributes at his funeral at Waveney Crematorium last Wednesday said: "His family was central to everything that he was and everything he did.

"He would do anything for anyone, especially his family."

His family also includes his two daughters, Penny Seamons and Becky Hulme, who read family memories from the children and grandchildren at the funeral.

As well as his wife Maureen, to whom he was married for 65 years, and four children, Mr Seamons leaves 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.