Alan Simons ALAN Simons died on December 4, aged 68, in Great Western Hospital, Swindon, after a stroke in October.

He leaves wife of 44 years Hazel, children Jenny, 40 and Nick, 37, and grandchildren Rosie, three, and six-month-old Molly.

Born on January 29, 1946, in Swindon Mr Simons was the only child of William and Winifred Simons.

He grew up in Devizes and went to Devizes Grammar School before going on to study physical chemistry at Reading University.

Mr Simons met his wife in 1967 when she went into the garage where he worked in his gap year for a battery strap for her car.

The couple then bumped into each other at the Bear Hotel again that night.

They married on Easter Monday in March 1970 in St Mary’s Church, Potterne.

His first teaching post was in Hemel Hempstead for 18 months at the Cavendish School in 1970.

Mr Simons started at Dauntsey’s School in West Lavington in 1971 and was the head of physics between 1995 and 2000.

He then joined the Exclusive Brethren Church in Chippenham as head of education from 2001 until 2006.

The family settled in the High Street in Great Cheverell in 1980.

Mr Simons was a big DIY enthusiast which included project managing various extensions and home improvements inspired by his interest in architecture and antiques.

Other hobbies included photography and coaching the rugby and cricket teams at Dauntsey’s.

Before his sight failed over the past six years he was also a prolific reader and had read almost every non-fiction book in Devizes Library.

Mr Simons wasn’t much of a traveller and spent holidays in the UK in a camper van when the children were young.

Mr Simons never properly retired and went back to Dauntsey’s as a substitute teacher and then as a part-time technician two days a week from 2007 until this year. The school has now dedicated part of the science lab to him.

Mrs Simons said: “He was a modest man and didn’t boast about his knowledge. He never complained but just got stuck in.

“He was always very passionate about getting the younger children interested in science and physics.”

His life will be celebrated at a memorial in the Pavillion, Great Cheverell, on Sunday, January 4.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact John Stuart funeral directors on 01380 723883 and donations should go to Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Stroke Research.