A FOUNDING member of Basildon Swimming Club has died aged 81.

David Lowe, of Cleveland Road, Basildon, who helped set up the club in 1962, died from a heart attack on October 1, just four days before his 82nd birthday.

Mr Lowe was involved with the Amateur Swim-ming Association and was elected president of the Essex County Swimming Association in 1984.

He was head coach at Basildon Swimming Club for many years and also taught Scouts and Guides at Gloucester Park Pool.

His wife Valerie Lowe, 60, said: “Swimming was a great passion of his.

“He was part of the committee that fought long and hard to get a swimming pool at Laindon High School, which has now been pulled down.”

During the Second World War Mr Lowe worked in the Merchant Navy.

After a spell working for the prison service, in Chelmsford, he joined the Port of London Authority Police Force, based in Tilbury. He then taught woodwork and car maintenance at Cecil Jones High School, Southend, during the Eighties. Between 1995 and 2002 he served on Laindon Park Primary School’s governing body as the chairman.

In 2006 Mr Lowe suffered a heart attack, but made a good recovery.

Sadly, while in hospital after breaking a hip in a fall, he suffered another heart attack and died.

Mrs Lowe, who had been married to him for 23 years, added: “He was a very well known man and Dave’s big, warm personality touched many people during his life.

“He will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him.”

Mr Lowe leaves behind his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.