Jack Ellery, award-winning gardener and bird breeder

EDWARD John Ellery, known to all as Jack, was born at the Royal London Hospital on April 17, 1939 to Elsie and George Ellery. He had seven brothers and sisters.

The family moved to Henley when he was young and he stayed there throughout his life.

After school he joined the army and was based in Cyprus for some time.

He then worked at Thames Carpet Cleaners until he married Sylvia Hickman in June 1961.

They went on to have six children, who went on to give him many grandchildren and great grandchildren and he embraced his extended family.

Jack was a machine operator at Sydney Greens before he and a friend, George Dodd, set up Ellery & Dodd, general builders & decorators.

After they closed the business, he worked at Jex & Arlett Construction as a site foreman and machine operator.

He then worked for Notting Hill Housing Trust as a clerk of the works where he remained until he retired. In his honour, Ellery Court in north-west London was named after him.

Jack participated in the Breakspear darts league in and around Henley for many years. He was also the chairman of the Salisbury Club in Henley.

He loved to spend time with his family on camping and caravaning holidays, travelling to all parts of the UK.

He loved to fish and to tend to his koi carp in his garden pond, adopting any others that came his way.

A keen aviarist with a passion for breeding love birds, canaries and chickens, he could always be found in the garden or hand rearing the next flock.

Jack won the best garden and outstanding garden awards in the Soha Gainsborough Hill best kept garden competition in 2018.

He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

His funeral will be held at Reading Crematorium in Caversham on Wednesday, March 12 at 2.30pm, followed by burial for family only at Fairmile cemetery in Henley.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Salisbury Club at 4.30pm.

Family flowers only. A collection will be held in aid of Sue Ryder with contributions to be made to funeral directors Tomalin & Son.