The family of a man who died in a house fire have paid tribute to him.
Malcolm Griffiths, 64, died from smoke inhalation after a fire at his bungalow in Pattison Close, Witham, on January 31.
Mr Griffiths was born in Brixton, south London, in 1940, and at the age of 15 became a naval cadet and went on to serve for ten years in the Merchant Navy.
He was chief steward on a number of ships operated by the P&O and Union Castle lines, but left the Merchant Navy to marry his wife Barbara, and trained as a fitter of lifts and escalators.
The couple went on to have two sons, Dale and Scott, and moved to Essex in the mid 1970s.
Mrs Griffiths said: "Five years ago, he attended Broomfield Hospital and underwent major surgery. He was very grateful for the intensive care from the hospital staff, surgeon and Macmillan nurses who helped him recover.
"Since then, he spent his time with his family and travelling around the country. He was able to take a holiday two years ago to Australia to visit one of his sons and enjoyed the chance to see how different the lifestyle was there.
"Neighbours and friends remember him as a very private man with a good sense of humour."
As well as his widow and two sons, Mr Griffiths leaves behind grandchildren Jamie and Jake. His funeral will be held at Chelmsford Crematorium's south chapel on Monday.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, February 10, 2005
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