ONE of the town's oldest residents, Charles Alfred Armor, has died, aged 91.

Mr Armor was born in Foster Street, Harlow Common and lived in several homes around Harlow, but returned to Harlow Common 50 years ago where he stayed for the rest of his life.

The skilled builder and carpenter, who built and repaired many Harlow houses, died at the Herts and Essex Hospital, Haydens Lane, Bishop's Stortford, last Sunday (May 8).

His friend and neighbour John Horton said: "He lived in Harlow all his life. He was one of the old established ones and was a valued friend."

Mr Horton, a former reporter with the Harlow Gazette, the Citizen's predecessor, explained how he first met Mr Armor 50 years ago when he interviewed him about a house he was rebuilding in Matching Green.

Twenty years later, the two became next door neighbours and Mr Armor helped Mr Horton restore and repair his 300-year-old house.

Mr Horton said: "He was a builder nearly all of his life and built houses all over Harlow and the surrounding areas."

Mr Armor, whose wife Dolly died in 1996, leaves a son Michael, 59, and grandson Neil, 24.

They were amongst other family and friends who gathered at Great Parndon Crematorium for his funeral on Monday.

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