Ron Marshall, a manager of Abingdon Marina who had twice retired before going back to work, has collapsed and died in his office at the age of 67.

Ron Marshall

Former seaman Mr Marshall, 67, of East Street, Didcot, was responsible for security and the general running of the Thames marina where he was appointed to the job only a year ago.

Eric Rumsey, of Builders Ede Ltd, which completed the marina development including more than 100 riverside homes, said: "Ron was and looked every inch a mariner."

Mr Marshall's attachment to boats began at the age of 14 when he left school and began work as a shipwright on the Thames at Isleworth. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy-seaman, and served on two battleships, three aircraft carriers and two destroyers.

Following retirement at the age of 60, Mr Marshall became a temporary district lock and weir keeper and worked at every Thames lock and weir between Goring and Lechlade.

He retired again at the age of 65, but was to return to Abingdon Marina, saying: "I just love boats and the water and hate being retired."