A POPULAR former teacher, who gave more than 31 years service to a York primary school, has lost his battle against cancer.

Jeff Barrett, 65, from Acomb, York, joined Carr Junior School, in Ostman Road, as a teacher in the early 1970s. He went on to become deputy head teacher and had a brief spell as acting head.

He was a dedicated servant to the school and on his retirement was appointed its chair of governors, a role he carried out right up until his death.

Mr Barrett's son Richard, 34, from Richmond, said his father got into education when he joined the Army to do his National Service. He was quickly promoted to sergeant, becoming one of the youngest people in the country to reach the rank, aged only 19.

"My father had a great manner with the school kids," Richard said.

"He was friendly and personable but at the same time he strongly believed in discipline. He was always very jolly and had a corny sense of humour."

Mr Barrett, who also leaves behind his wife, Angela, and a daughter, Avril, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in early August.

"It was all very sudden and he remained active right up to the very end.

"When he knew his cancer was untreatable, he told us he had no regrets except that he was leaving my mother to grieve," Richard said.

"He wouldn't have done anything different."

Mr Barrett's passion was travel and he visited a number of exotic locations on his retirement, including the Canadian Rockies, Thailand and Bali.

Carr's acting deputy head teacher Howard Beattie, who worked with Mr Barrett for more than two decades, said they hoped to hold a memorial service at the school in his memory.

"Jeff was always a very, very reliable person and friendly," he said.

"Nothing was too much trouble for him.

"He also had tremendous organisational skills and arranged a number of diverse school visits to the Lake District and northern France.

"He was liked by everyone and the children found him very approachable."

Mr Barrett's funeral was taking place at York Crematorium today.

Updated: 10:50 Thursday, September 08, 2005