THE caretaker of Clacton’s covered market has died.

Henry Reeve, of St Mary’s Road, Clacton, had worked in the market for 15 years, right up to his death on December 5. He was 74.

His wife Beryl described him as a well-known Clacton figure, who would go out at 6.15am every day and speak to the road sweepers, dustbin men and everyone who was around at that time.

Before working at the covered market, Mr Reeve delivered gas to homes. He also ran Colin’s hardware shop in the town.

Mrs Reeve said: “Everybody knew him. He was always out and about. A lot of people knew him as the ‘Esso blue man’ or as Colin, because of the hardware store.”

Mr Reeve was born in Stepney in 1934 He served in the Army for his national service and went on to work at the Ford motor company for 13 years.

He met his wife Beryl in 1959, and the couple moved to Clacton in 1979.

His wife said football was Mr Reeve’s lifelong passion. He was an Arsenal fan and in his youth he ran a boys’ Sunday football league, the Thameside Football League, in which England legends Jimmy Greaves and Geoff Hurst started their careers.

She said Mr Reeve was “a real family man” who was “very fond of his children”.

He leaves three children, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

The funeral has taken place.