A BORN and bred Islander, whose family can be traced back to 1783 (so far), has died at the age of 72.

Ray Peacey stoically fought his illness and pledged his body to medical science — his family called him 'a legend to the end'.

As a child, Mr Peacey attended local schools in Cowes, before embarking on a very ‘colourful and active’ early life, according to his family.

His first job was at Weddel butchers in Cowes, which led him to become a lifelong vegetarian.

After some short term work with Island construction firms, he worked for mainland company Walcon Construction Ltd where he enjoyed long term contracts for more than 24 years.

He worked on piling in all the marinas on the Solent, that were regenerated from the 1970s onwards.

He worked on the British end of the Channel Tunnel, and on the Thames barrier, the link spans for the Island's ferry terminals, motorway bridges on the mainland, flood prevention work and sea defences around the country as far away as Liverpool.

Up until September 2020 he was employed by Island firm Imphouse, where he worked for 26 years. This enabled him to enjoy a home life once again.

He was known for always being at the end of the phone for anyone with a query, and usually had whatever was needed in his stash of gizzits!

Mr Peacey, leaves his wife Lin, daughters Natalie and Terri, grandchildren and great grandchildren, plus his ten surviving brothers and sisters.