THE funeral took place on February 26 at Gorleston Crematorium of Anthony (Tony) Harper a retired teacher of Lothingland Middle School, who died at his home in Yarrow Drive on February 15.

THE funeral took place on February 26 at Gorleston Crematorium of Anthony (Tony) Harper a retired teacher of Lothingland Middle School, who died at his home in Yarrow Drive on February 15.

The celebration of his life was led by Humanist Georgina Wragg.

Tony was born and grew up in Lowestoft, attending Roman Hill School and Lowestoft Grammar School. He began his working life at Pye Manufacturing studying electronics at the then Lowestoft Technical College. After his marriage to his wife Carol in 1965 they continued to live in the town with their three children. Tony went on to retrain as a teacher and studied at Keswick Teacher Training College at Norwich gaining a Bachelor of Education degree.

He began his teaching career at Lothingland Middle School continuing there until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 60.

Tony was an active man and loved to be outdoors. He was keen on running, canoeing and rock climbing but most of all cycling. In France he would cycle many cols in the south of the country including Mont Ventoux, the Alps and Pyrenees. He entered Beccles Cycle for Life several times completing the 50-mile circuit cycling to and from Beccles for the event. He and his wife enjoyed walking around East Anglia and holidaying in the Ardeche region of France.

Tony became ill in early 2009 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite major surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital followed by radiotherapy at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital he never regained his health.

Tony leaves his wife Carol, three children and three grandchildren.

The family wish to thank home carers, district nurses, Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Support and the Oncology Department in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.