Tributes paid to ‘generous and kind’ Eastbourne man

Tributes have been paid to a ‘very popular’ father of four from Eastbourne who passed away on December 28.

Joseph Peasgood, who was always known as Joe, transformed a derelict house into the first private rest home in Eastbourne in 1979.

Mr Peasgood played rugby for Eastbourne and met his wife Audrey when he was taken to hospital with a sports injury. She was one of the nurses who took care of him and after that ‘they never looked back’, according to his family.

He owned a fruit and vegetable shop on Carlisle Road in the 60s and 70s and then went on to work for Royal London Insurance for many years.

Mr and Mrs Peasgood opened and ran the Hartfield House Residential Care Home on Hartfield Road for more than 25 years.

Bob Peasgood, Mr Peasgood’s brother, said they were hands on proprietors and ‘will have looked after so many older residents and will have become their friends’.

Following retirement, Mr Peasgood continued his hobbies including golf and bowles.

His family said, “He played at Willingdon Golf Club where was very popular and became an honorary member.

“Gardening was a massive passion of his, you could always find him outside in his garden pottering around or at the greenhouse attending to his vegetables or sorting out the fish pond.”

He had four children Debbie, Jackie, Matthew and Simon, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

According to his family, Mr Peasgood suffered with Alzheimer’s for many years and was taken care of at home.

His family said he passed away peacefully at home on December 28 with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 87.

They said, “Joe was a very caring, generous, kind, loving father and a loyal and trustworthy friend. He would do anything for anyone. He adored his grandchildren and always made sure to spend time with them.

“He was a hardworking man and had an active life and was at his happiest when he was with his family.”

Mr Peasgood’s funeral is on January 20 at Langney Crematorium and his family are asking people to donate to the Alzheimer’s Society.