Touching tributes have been paid to an avid sports fan who died of heart failure.
Eric Rose, 71, of Dooley Road, Halstead, suffered heart failure on Sunday following a long battle against diabetes and a heart attack 12 years ago.
The well-known former taxi driver and grandfather-of-seven died on the same day as his sons’ cricket team president and friend, Peter Rawlinson.
The keen Braintree Town FC and Halstead Cricket Club supporter had a leg amputated in 2012 but “defied the odds” through years of illness.
Both of his sons have played for the Halstead cricket team since they were children and he loved to follow their sporting successes.
He also leaves behind two daughters, Samantha and Claire.
Justin Rose, 44, of Slough Farm Road, Halstead, said he and his brother played a game of cricket in their father’s memory at the weekend.
He said: “Dad touched a lot of people over the years and he was a bit of a character. He adored his grandchildren and I am sad he won’t see my son Freddy play football.”
Mr Rose's funeral will be on December 18 at Three Counties Crematorium, High Garrett.
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