Derek Norcross: A remarkable man who became a byword for energy and goodwill

Mr Norcross - educationalist, politician, musician, adventurer and for many years the driving force behind St Michael's Hospice - died at the Conquest Hospital last Friday.

Hours earlier, while visiting his grandchildren, he had been struck by a car in Robertsbridge. He was 76.

The De La Warr Pavilion Trust, local schools, Highwoods Golf Club and the world of musical theatre are among those shocked and saddened by his death.

He was the retired head teacher of St Paul's Church of England Primary School at Hastings and his disciplined yet common sense approach to learning made him a popular visitor to local schools with staff and students alike.

He was in great demand as a speaker on school prize nights and was due to have performed such a role at St Richard's Catholic College on Monday.

Derek extended his sheer joy of life to the political arena. He became a county councillor in 1993 and served the council for eight and half years until 2001.

He served on and chaired various committees, taking a special interest in education and music services. He was vice-chairman from 1994 -1996 and chairman from 1996 until 1998.

Derek's passion for music was infectious, as a generation of schoolchildren could testify.

He loved musical theatre, enjoyed watching the BLODS and on several occasions had been musical director for the Hastleons.

A lasting legacy is his work with St Michael's Hospice as fervent supporter and board chairman.

Mr Norcross held Hastings' top civic award, The Order of 1066, and in 2005 received the OBE from Prince Charles.

He was a Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex and was due to have attended a dinner with the Queen at Buckingham Palace last night.

Above all Derek Norcross will be remembered as a remarkable and decent human being, a devoted family man whose boundless energy and abundant goodwill benefited so many.

The funeral will take place at the Hastings Centre on The Ridge, next Thursday at 11am. Private cremation will follow. There will be a public reception at the Beauport Park Hotel at 1pm.

There has been a request for family flowers only; donations if desired to St Michael's Hospice c/o Arthur C. Towner, funeral directors, Norman Road, St Leonards.