FORMER Isle of Wight publican and schoolteacher John Frederick Goodall has died at the age of 81.

Mr Goodall, of Freshwater, was born in Southampton and often spent summer holidays on the Island.

He met his wife Frances in the 1950s and they had three boys — John, Andrew and Guy.

In the 1960s they moved to the Island and when the boys were old enough the couple studied as mature students before becoming teachers at Nodehill and Lake Middle Schools.

Mr Goodall had a brief stint as a security guard at the original Isle of Wight Festival and later he and his wife worked together as licensees, notably of The Blenheim, Ventnor, and The Countryman, Brighstone.

In the 1990s, Mr Goodall returned to the mainland to work at The White Horse Inn, Droxford, before retiring and returning to the Island where he had the time to get back to his love of gardening and photography.

He was also a keen supporter of Southampton FC.

He is remembered by his family as someone who would encourage them in a reassuring way and was always supportive.

He is survived by his three sons, grandchildren Edward, Christopher, Richard, Michael and Jessie, and great-grandchild Noah.

A private family service will be held Mountjoy Cemetery, Carisbrooke, on Thursday.

It will be followed by a reception at the Bargeman's Rest, Newport, at 1pm, to which all friends and acquaintances are welcome to come and celebrate his life.