A HEADMASTER has paid tribute to a much-loved lollipop man who “touched the lives of everyone he met”.

Derek Jarvis helped children and their parents cross Wanstead High Street every morning for almost 10 years.

Although he was mainly employed to assist families from Wanstead Church Primary School, he would often go out of his way to help others from Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary, Treehouse Nursery, and many more.

After the 71-year-old’s death following a battle with lung cancer at the weekend (January 27/28), Wanstead Church Primary's headteacher Mark Hemsley led tributes to him.

A notice posted on the school gates at the beginning of this week reads: “It is with great sadness that I am writing to tell you Mr Derek Jarvis passed away at the weekend.

“Derek was a dear friend and colleague to all of us and he gave so much to our school over many years.

“He will be truly missed by everyone, but I know he has also left each of us with wonderful and happy memories.”

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Hemsley said Mr Jarvis always went “above and beyond” his duties as a lollipop man, helping out on school trips, in the school garden, and dressing up as Father Christmas every year.

He said: “He was so much more than a lollipop man.

“Everything he did outside his duties was purely voluntary, but he was always there with a smile.

“Every PTA event he was there – the first to arrive to help set up and the last to leave after making sure everything was put away.

“He was so incredibly generous and the epitome of community spirit.”

Although Mr Jarvis retired a year ago, he still returned to the school often.

Mr Hemsley added: “He had a real passion for gardening, something he shared with everyone at school.

“We are already thinking about ways we can remember him, one of which is renaming our school garden after him.

“In class we are talking about how we remember Derek and give thanks to God for having him in our lives.

“His death is terribly sad, but he will always be an important part of our school.”

Wanstead Church School plans to organise its own memorial service for Mr Jarvis and fundraise for any charity nominated by his family.

His funeral will take place at 11.15am on February 16 at the City of London Cemetery in Aldersbrook Road.

What are your memories of Derek Jarvis?

  • Send your tributes and photos to lara.keay@london.newsquest.co.uk