The sixth form centre at Heathcote School, Chingford, will stand as a fitting memorial to Phil Brown, the governor who piloted the scheme through transition.

Mr Brown lost his eight-year battle with cancer just before the school’s impressive initial A-level results were declared.

Despite his debilitating condition Mr Brown maintained a key role in Heathcote development.

For a quarter century Phil Brown served on Heathcote’s governing body – an interest developed when his two children (and later his grandchildren) were schooled there. But this was only one of many interests.

Mr Brown became the chairman of the Safer Neighbourhood Police Panel.

And a strong connection with Whipps Cross Hospital developed through his illness, wife Margaret’s long-term connection as a councillor and their dual membership of the Patient’s Panel.

A talented pianist – unimpressed by his own performance, he rarely played. Mr Brown was also a Chingford Round Tabler.

At a packed memorial service in Chingford United Reformed Church tributes were paid by many notable figures, including family friends Reverend Peter Delaney, a former Archdeacon of London, and Reverend Francis Ackroyd, minister of Vine U.R.C., Ilford.

Phil Brown was an elder at the Chingford church and as a passionate Christian Socialist wrote many thought-provoking articles for various church magazines.

Educated at Selwyn Primary School and Sir George Monoux School Mr Brown, 68 when he died, began his working life as a shipping manager but became a shopkeeper.

He leaves a wife, Margaret, a daughter and son and three grandchildren.

He lived in Hornbeam Grove, Chingford.