A POPULAR Southend teacher at who “touched the hearts of everyone who knew him” has died.

Peter Green joined St Bernard’s High School, Westcliff, in 1998 and worked as a supply teacher after retiring.

Mr Green, who was in his seventies and lived in Leigh, passed away suddenly last Thursday.

Headteacher Pat Barron, who informed parents by letter, said: “Our whole community has been saddened by the news.

“We mourn the loss of a friend, a colleague, and a much-loved teacher. He was always courteous, charming and kind. His love of the subjects he taught, of life in general, and his family shone through in everything he did.”

Mr Green joined the school after retiring from Cecil Jones as the head of modern foreign languages.

He was well-known for his “name games” where he would pick a name from the register and give name-related clues to pupils about who he had chosen.

Mrs Barron added: “Mr Green was highly skilled. He impressed the students with the range of languages he could speak and his name games.

“He was also an accomplished musician. For many of us, our lasting memory of Mr Green will be hands flying over the keys of the piano at the Rag Week Staff Talent Show in July, with the whole school applauding.

“He enjoyed being part of a Christian community where his commitment to living a Catholic life was reflected in everything he did.

“He touched the hearts of everyone who knew him.”

The school held a lunchtime Mass in memory of Mr Green on Tuesday, at 1pm.

Mr Green was a regular attendee of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Leigh, where his funeral will take place.