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Family pay tribute to Rushden man who had many interests
Local historian and ex-teacher will be missed
The family of a man who was passionate about local history have said he will be sorely missed.
Eric Anthony Jenkins died peacefully at Kettering General Hospital on March 21.
He will be remembered as a schoolmaster and above all as a local historian, being the author of seven books of Northamptonshire stories as well as numerous articles and other writings.
He was a popular speaker on many local topics.
At the time of his death, Eric was putting the finishing touches to a history of the Civil War in Northamptonshire.
He was a founder and president of the Rushden and District History Society.
Eric was born in Wolverhampton on October 2, 1932, and educated at the city's grammar school.
After working at Wolverhampton Public Library, which was interrupted by National Service with the South Staffordshire Regiment, Eric trained as a teacher.
His first post was at John Lea School in Wellingborough, where he taught for more than 30 years.
After retirement from teaching, Eric worked as town clerk for the council in Irthlingborough.
Eric had many interests; early on as a football referee and in politics, but he was also passionate about railways and traditional jazz.
He was also a magistrate on the Wellingborough Bench for more than two decades.
Eric was very much a family man and married Pat in 1957 - Alan was born in 1959 and Robin in 1961.
Robin and his wife Jess gave him two grandsons Sam and Tom.
Alan and Lesley gave him a step-grandson, Jack, and delighted him with the first girl in the family, granddaughter Petra, in 2011.
Eric's funeral will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Nene Valley Crematorium in Wellingborough.
His family has said Eric was much loved and will be sorely missed.
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