A loving father and keen fundraiser within the Bracknell community has died aged 95.

Joseph (Joe) Mortimer from Bay Road, Bullbrook was a well known and respected coach with Ascot and Bracknell Boxing Club.

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In January 1949 he was in a bout televised by the BBC and a very young commentator Harry Carpenter made his first ever broadcast about the fight.

In 1996, Joe sent him the original programme. Harry was thrilled to hear from him and confessed "I was scared out of my wits".

As a child, Joe lived in Lower Place in Harlesden. The family home backed on to the Grand Union Canal where he almost drowned aged five and swore he heard angels.

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His daughter Hayley Southgate said: "As a survivor he developed the most wonderful handwriting and became incredibly musical on piano and organ but never learned to read music all his life.

"He was always in demand at local do's and during the War found he could keep morale up by playing an Accordion down the tube or in Air Raid shelters.

"Joe couldn't join the military due to a medical condition but people judged him for not being in uniform. An Uncle made him a badge 'On War Work' so he helped to build many Air Raid shelters in peoples back gardens. He also became a Powder Monkey at an open cast mine in Yorkshire and did farm work in Faringdon."

After the War, he worked at the local power station in Acton and in the Autumn of 1947 , he answered a newspaper advert for workers to help on a Harvest Camp holiday.

There was a shortage of manpower after the war and it was on a camp at Shurlock Row near Twyford that he met his future wife Pat who was from Dagenham in Essex.

In Bracknell, Joe and his wife were both members of the Congregational Church and then Holy Trinity Church. Joe didn't want to sit around after Redundancy. He secured a job as a Groundsman at Bracknell Tennis Club and was also a part time Doorman at the 3M Club. His stature meant there was very little trouble.

Hayley added: "Joe had five children and had an allotment opposite his home to help feed the family. Money was tight and he tried to better himself by training to be a Physiotherapist. He was excellent at the practical side, but sadly failed on several occasions to pass the theory. He was a big advocate of discipline and right from wrong but could also be a softy with a great sense of humour.

"Joe started to decline somewhat with early onset Dementia but kept a sense of humour. When he joined Alzheimers Support Sidmouth Club in Devizes he was well loved from day one and they got a keyboard in especially for his hobby and Brasso for his polishing!

"Pat sadly passed away in 2015 and by 2017 he needed more care so became a resident at 'Brookside'. Such a coincidence having lived in 'Bullbrook' for over 4 decades.

"At Joes recent funeral, the family organised a decorated casket with Spitfire images. He was also honoured by the RAFA Melksham Branch Stadard Bearer for services to fundraising. No singing was allowed in Church but his Grandson sang a moving version of My Way outside across the churchyard. Very fitting for a man who was unique and helpful and a deep thinker with sound morals.

"He will never be forgotten."

Donations can be sent to Alzheimers Support or the Royal Marines Association, also story memories, photos and respects can be contributed about Joe by clicking: josephmortimer.muchloved.com