Tributes to former St Louis Catholic Middle School caretaker Dennis Moore

Tributes have been paid to a community figure and former school caretaker who has died aged 68.

Dennis Moore, of Bury St Edmunds, devoted his time to helping people in the town through his work and volunteering.

The former caretaker and lollipop man at St Louis Catholic Middle School even delayed his retirement to stay an extra year until the school closed in 2016.

His son Ash Moore, 34, said: “I feel the community deserves to know everything this great unsung hero of mine has done.”

Born and bred in Bury, Dennis grew up on the Priors estate.

His first job was with WHSmith and he later worked as a removal man for Glasswells.

He was a bar steward for the Royal British Legion as well as The Elephant and Castle and The Black Boy pubs.

In the 1980s, he was a porter at West Suffolk Hospital and volunteered as a special constable for 12 years from 1987.

He was also a custodian at Shire Hall in Bury in the 1990s and collected St Nicholas Hospice Care lottery money.

His son said ‘probably the best job’ his father had was his 11 years at St Louis, where he was the caretaker and took on the role of the school’s lollipop man.

Ash said: “If you asked him, he would say it was the most enjoyable and rewarding job.

“Come Christmas time he would come home with bottles of whisky and chocolates from the parents and children.

“He delayed his retirement to stay an extra year until the school closed in 2016.

“He was a family orientated man and would do anything for his kids and grandkids.

“If you got into his circle of trust, you knew you were going to be all right and he would look after you.

“I don’t think he realised how much he did for the community - the jobs he has done off his own back to help other people out.

“I would take him out just on a shopping trip, people would stop him and it would end up taking an hour.”

Dennis passed away following a period of ill health.

As well as Ash, he leaves a daughter Gemma and eight grandchildren.

His funeral is on Tuesday, January 8 at noon at West Suffolk Crematorium.

No flowers except family but donations can be made to St Nicholas Hospice Care.