Under the special circumstances of coronavirus lockdown, eight of us said goodbye at Test Valley Crematorium to Eric Hobbs a life time resident of Easton.

Lorraine Bradbeer, Eric’s great niece gave the following tribute:

Eric Alfred Hobbs was my Great Uncle and what a truly great man he was.

99 years ago my Great Grandfather Charlie Hobbs helped to build number 3 Chapel Lane, Eastern Village, and this house became the Hobbs family home. Uncle Eric was the seventh of eight children born in the house and he lived there his entire life, becoming one of the eldest residence in Eastern.

As a child he attended Eastern school and at 16 was called up for National Service at RAF Calshot. He was responsible for the  service and repairs of the Air Sea Rescue boats and signed up to serve an extra year, serving three in total.

He went on to work for Green & Carter as a grounds man for many years.

He was a huge Hampshire cricket fan and took great pleasure in playing for Eastern and Martyr Worthy.

He enjoyed a drop of Southern Comfort and was a regular at his local the Cricketers, where he had many friends and in years past he had helped set up the pub and change barrels.

He enjoyed his garden and with help from uncle Francis would grow a variety of vegetables.

Uncle Eric was a character, who was loved by his family and friends. He told a good story but didn’t mince his words, he called a spade a spade.

Losing him during this crisis robbed us of saying our final goodbyes, but I believe he knew we were thinking of him and praying for him until the end.

All in all he had a pretty good innings but was bowled out too soon.

God bless you uncle Eric, rest in peace.