TRIBUTES were paid to one of the borough s most eminent community figures who passed away this week, writes Sukran Sahin Former Eastbrook School head teacher Ken Drury died at the age of 71 at his home in High Roding, Essex, on Monday night (May 18), afte

TRIBUTES were paid to one of the borough's most eminent community figures who passed away this week, writes Sukran Sahin

Former Eastbrook School head teacher Ken Drury died at the age of 71 at his home in High Roding, Essex, on Monday night (May 18), after a short illness.

Mr Drury had retired in December 2002 after 37 years of teaching at Eastbrook School.

He grew up on Sutton Road, Barking, and attended Westbury Junior and Barking Abbey schools before heading to Oxford to be trained as a teacher.

His teaching career began at an East Ham school, but Mr Drury moved to Eastbrook Boys' School in 1965, and became head teacher there in 1981.

He leaves behind his wife Eve, a former teacher at Henry Green Primary School, Dagenham, two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.

Mr Drury's son Jim said: "We are very touched and warmed by the messages we received."

He added: "Dad was born in the borough, and he worked in the borough for 37 years.

"His big philosophy in life was that he wanted the children of Barking and Dagenham to be aspiring and to be able to fulfil their potential.

"He taught us that we should treat people as we want to be treated ourselves, not to lie and that we should try and do the best we can."

Dave Russell, former editor of the Dagenham Post, said: "Ken was a lovely devoted family man, absolutely committed to Eastbrook School and its pupils.

"He invited us to all the events at the school and it was always a pleasure to go.

"Many thousands of people will be deeply saddened by the news.