A TOAST will be raised to the life of a former council chairman who used to help run one of the district's pubs.

Robert O’Malley, of Churchfields, Loughton, who helped run the King's Oak in High Beech, died of pneumonia on April 23 at Whipps Cross hospital, aged 96.

His daughter, Marnie O’Neill, 52, said her father had been a very sociable man, enjoying countless charity balls and parties.

“He was out every night at functions,” she said. “He boasted to his grandchildren, which was horrendous, that he smoked since he was 10 and he only gave up when he was 92. I don’t think he could face another cigarette.

"There seemed to be endless excuses for parties, but he personally was a very quiet man and would never boast about anything."

She said the family would be raising a glass of his favourite drink, pink gin, in a toast to him after his funeral next week.

Mr O’Malley and his widow Vera, who had been married for 71 years, were committed to raising money for charities, particularly the Chigwell Riding Trust, as he used to ride through Epping Forest.

The couple met while Mrs O’Malley was living at The Wheatsheaf pub in York Hill, Loughton, which her mother, Dolly Whitfield, ran for 38 years.

They married on March 14 1940 at Epping Registry Office and lived at their home in Churchfields for the rest of their life together.

During the Second World War, Mr O’Malley served in North Africa, Italy and Austria, where he was promoted to Major.

Back at home, he was manager of Lambs Ltd coachworks in Loughton and also served as a councillor, getting elected onto the Chigwell Urban District Council in 1955.

He was chairman of the newly-created Epping Forest District Council during the early 1970s and was also chairman of the Epping Forest District Conservative Association.

He and Mrs O’Malley were about 100 yards from the Brighton hotel attacked by the IRA in 1984, when they were attending the Tory party conference.

Mr O’Malley leaves three children - Mrs O’Neill and her brothers Graham, 56 and Michael, 64, and six grandchildren.

His funeral will take place next Wednesday (May 11) from 2.30pm at St Mary’s Church in Loughton High Road, followed by drinks at The Wheatsheaf.

Donations to the Chigwell Riding Trust can be made in his memory by writing to Deborah Hall, Grange Farm, High Road, Chigwell, IG7 6DP.