AN RAF veteran who served the community in Frinton for more than 20 years has died.

Reginald Paul Dollimore – known as Paul – died on June 15, just days after his 88th birthday.

Born in London in 1927, Mr Dollimoremoved to the Midlands and across the country, eventually ending up in Frinton in his 60s.

In his youth, he studied engineering at Magdalene College in Cambridge.

He was a successful rower at the college and combined his love of theatre with engineering skills to manage the technical side of amateur dramatic performances.

After a period of national service in the Royal Air Force, Mr Dollimore stayed on as an officer in the signals branch, rising to the rank of wing commander.

While in the RAF, he saw the world, serving at stations in Singapore and China, as well as the Ministry of Defence in London, working on everything from surface- to-air missiles, satellites and radar.

Mr Dollimore retired from the RAF in 1978 and moved to Frinton with wife Pam in 1987.

He was determined to get involved in his new community and volunteered as secretary at Frinton Community Association, where he also served as chairman and president, making a huge impact over 20 years with the association As well as setting up a company to run the group’s bar more profitably, Mr Dollimore also initiated plans for a pre-school playgroup to boost parents in Frinton and Walton, which is still running today.

He also managed the Frinton and Walton Community Service Minibus, helping sports clubs and youth groups, as well as elderly and disabled residents.

Mr Dollimore was a prominent member of the community until 2013, when he and his wife moved to Milton Keynes to be nearer their daughters as his health deteriorated.

He leaves his wife of 61 years Pam, four children and four grandchildren.

A spokesman for Frinton Community Association said: “Paul was a long-standing member of the association and was our president from 2005 to 2009.

“He made a real difference to our community and was liked by all. He will be sadly missed.”