A DEDICATED husband, father, grandad and parish councillor has died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Southminster parish councillor John Anderson passed away following a short illness.

He leaves his wife, three grown-up children and five grandchildren.

Mr Anderson was regularly seen walking his dog Tess around the village.

He served as a parish councillor from 2010 until December 2023, and during that time he was council chairman from 2015 to 2022.

A spokesman for Southminster Parish Council said: “John was well known in the area and served on many committees, including chair of the Dengie Hundred group of parish councils, overview and scrutiny committee at Maldon District Council and the executive committee of the Essex Association of Local Councils.

“John was a well-known, active member of the community and led Southminster Parish Council through the Covid crisis, also working tirelessly with Fields in Trust towards the new pavilion project at King George V Memorial Field.”

Mr Anderson's funeral will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday, January 3, at St Leonard's Church.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects can do so as his funeral cortege passes through Southminster High Street at about 10am.