THE MAN who offered to help run Sidmouth Carnival next year, has died after being taken ill on Sunday. Bristolian John Ted Reece, 63, of Radway, who retired to Sidmouth with his wife Anne nearly three years ago, died in hospital

THE MAN who offered to help run Sidmouth Carnival next year, has died after being taken ill on Sunday.

Bristolian John "Ted" Reece, 63, of Radway, who retired to Sidmouth with his wife Anne nearly three years ago, died in hospital early Monday morning.

The couple met at a youth centre in Bristol when Anne was 18 and they married in 1969. Their only child died of cystic fibrosis when a few months old.

After an apprenticeship with Bristol Siddeley; later Rolls Royce, where he worked on Concorde's engines, John became a coach salesman.

"He always loved coaches. Some little boys play with trains, he played with coaches, he used to wash them for pleasure," said Anne, who described her husband as having a "wonderful sense of humour".

He began driving coaches at 21. Those driving skills helped him operate a taxi business with friends before joining the transport department of Avon County Council.

After working for other coach firms, John set up his own, Broadoak Travel Ltd., with one coach. He was Fellow of the Institute of Transport and Administration and had been its national chairman.

He was a member of WHOTT, (West Country Historic Omnibus and Transport Trust).

For many years John was involved in Weston Super Mare carnival, and was this year's chairman. When he learnt Sidmouth carnival might fold, he volunteered to help.

"He just couldn't say no. He thought it would be a shame if Sidmouth Carnival lapsed. He was not going to be a one-man band though, others were involved," said Anne.

Graham Troman said: "I am devastated. I was looking forward to working with him on the new committee."

Carnival organiser Stuart Hughes added: "I was deeply shocked when I heard and my deepest condolences go out to his wife and family.

"It is far too soon to say anything further about the future of Sidmouth Carnival except that as it stands I am still the organiser as the 2008 event hasn't been put to bed yet and I hadn't handed the reigns over to John that should have taken place in December.

Graham and I will meet within the next few weeks to discuss just where the event is going."

John threw himself into community life, becoming a reader at Sidmouth's Catholic church, a driver for SVS, and member of the Conservative club and bowls club.

John's younger brother Kenneth will travel from Yorkshire for John's funeral at the Catholic church next Thursday (November 6).

A requiem mass and service of thanksgiving will be followed by cremation. Donations will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

READERS TRIBUTES

It was with great sadness when all of us at the Institute of Transport Administration became aware of the tragic loss of Ted. I am very well aware of the passion and love that he had for the passenger transport industry and this was evident through the work and dedication that he gave to the Institute. Without exception, all within the Institute pass our deepest sympathies to Anne and the whole of the family.

Ian Franklin MInstTA

National Chairman

I just found out a few hours ago of the death of my cousin John Reece. I am now 72 and live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Many years ago my family lived on Stanley Road and John's family lived three streets over on Cowper Road in Bristol. I was very fond of John's Mother and Father - My Auntie Emily and Uncle Jack. I went into the RAF when John was still quite young and afterwards came to Canada. We last met at the funeral of our Uncle Albert in Downend, Bristol. John had made quite a success of his life and at that time was doing coach tours. I met his lovely wife Anne at that time.Would you please give John's wife Anne and his brother Kenny my sincere condolences. I see from The Bristol Evening Post that the funeral was today (2008 November 6th ) so my thoughts and prayers were with him today.

Peter Jones