HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a much-loved lollipop man who served the Rayleigh community for almost 20 years helping countless children get to school safely.

Ron Hilton, 89, was the lollipop man at Grove Wood Primary School, in Rayleigh, since the early 2000s.

Echo: Loved - Ron with his two great granddaughters, Annaliese and ConnieLoved - Ron with his two great granddaughters, Annaliese and Connie (Image: Newsquest)

He first got the role after his grandson brought home a letter from the school appealing for someone to fill the lollipop role on a temporary basis.

READ MORE >> More than £25k raised in two days after Rayleigh mum told she has just months to live

Sadly, Ron passed away with his family by his side on December 30.

His daughter, Karen Vassolo, 58, said being a lollipop man was Ron’s life.

She told the Echo: “Ron was an amazing dad, and I was very close to him, we did everything together.

“Being the lollipop man was his life, he absolutely loved it.

“It got him up every day, and he just couldn’t get down there quick enough.

“Ron knew everybody, it was his way of life, and he talked about the job right up until the end.

“He has treasured everything the children brought, or make for him, and he always remembered everyone’s names.

“Since he has passed, it has been so overwhelming the amount of support and love that has been shown, people have even left flowers and tributes for him outside his home.”

Ron was married to Maureen and had three children with his beloved wife.

Sadly, Maureen passed away 12 years ago, and the last thing she said to the family was to “make sure he keeps the lollipop job up”.

Ron won lollipop man of the year for the East of England in 2009, as well as being voted as Rayleigh’s ‘Local Hero’ in 2017.

Echo: Award - Ron with the children after winning Local Hero Award in 2017Award - Ron with the children after winning Local Hero Award in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)

Richard Green, headteacher at Grove Wood, said: “Ron played such an important role in the life of our school for over 17 years.

“He was always so cheerful, welcoming, and friendly to the children, their parents, and grandparents.

“He knew all of the children by name and would always ensure that the children were safe and happy on their way to and from school.

“Ron stepped back from his crossing role in 2020 but there will not be a pupil who attended Grove Wood over the time that he manned the crossing who does not remember him with a huge amount of fondness.

“He was far more than just a lollipop man.”