Tributes have been paid to a hockey-loving Oxford firefighter, who has died after a long illness.

Steve Vermuelen pictured asking children on a Junior Countrywatch safety course in 1996 what they should do in a fire

Sub-officer Steve Vermeulen, who lived in Wolvercote, Oxford, was described as "loving, friendly, generous and altruistic". He was 47.

Colleagues will form a guard of honour lining the approach to the funeral service at St Andrew's Church, Linton Road, Oxford, at 3pm on June 30.

Mr Vermuelen will be remembered by many in Oxfordshire, not only for his achievements and dedication as a firefighter at Slade Park Fire Station, Headington, but also for an array of community projects in which he was involved.

Mr Vermeulen, who was a keen hockey player, has been described by friends as first and foremost a family man.

Friend and fellow hockey player Nick Malden said: "Nothing was more precious to Steve than his wife Ann and his three sons Pete, Drew and David."

He said: "He leaves behind a legacy of having been a loving, friendly, generous and altruistic family man, who lived life to the full.

"Steve encouraged and supported his family, but more than this, he inspired them with his love of sports, nature and the outdoors. Trips to his favourite Outer Hebrides, walks in the Dales, canoeing on the Thames, all these things he shared with his family."

Mr Vermeulen joined the Oxfordshire Fire Service in 1977.

Friends say he loved his job, and he went on to win many commendations for his campaigning work on community safety issues.

Mr Malden said: "He had a unique style and excellent communication skills, which enabled him to excel at everything he put his hand to."

He will be best remembered for his commitment to community safety, and his work in educating the public about health and safety issues. His work is widely considered to have enhanced the safety of Oxfordshire's community. Assistant Divisional Officer Kevin Parfitt said: "Many of his initiatives will continue to protect us for years to come.

"He was so well known and we're talking about hundreds of people he helped. He had so many commendations on his community safety work and so many people respected him."

He was a founder member of Cowley Hockey Club in the 1970s and later played for the Rover Oxford Vets.

In the early 1990s, Mr Vermeulen encouraged his children and their friends to play hockey. His enthusiasm saw the fledgling junior club grow from a handful to more than 120 members in its first seven years. His talent for coaching was recognised in 2002 when he won the Active Sports 'Coach of the Year' award.

He also co-founded the Wolvercote Watch Group to encourage children to observe and enjoy the natural world about them.

He leaves his wife, Anne, and three sons.