THE last headmaster of a former Southampton preparatory school has died aged 81.

Joe Savage was known to generations of youngsters at Oakmount School in Brookvale Road, Highfield, where he was headmaster for 28 years from 1961.

He inherited the school from his father, Mr W. G. Savage but decided to retire along with his wife, June, with whom he ran the school, when the land was sold by the owners for housing in 1989.

The former Maths teacher is remembered by many boys for numerous reasons including his love of shooting, passing on his passion at the .22 range in the school grounds, with fierce competition for the Shield each year.

After retiring Mr Savage and his wife moved to Cornwall before moving back more recently to Ringwood.

He died on June 7 after a short illness and is survived by his wife, two daughters Linda and Sarah, six grandchilden and one great-grandson.

His funeral will take place this Tuesday at 11.45am at All Saints Church, St Ives, Ringwood. Donations can be made to RBCH Trust – Macmillan Unit Fund c/o Nicholas O’Hara, Somerleigh Court Funeral Home, 38 Rowlands Hill, Wimborne BH21 1AW.