FORMER carpenter and joiner Francis 'Joe' Geddes has died at the age of 84.

Mr Geddes was born in Shanklin in his grandmother's house in Western Road, which became his life-long home.

He acquired the nickname 'Joe' as he befriended American GIs training on Shanklin seafront while he was at school during the Second World War.

They gave him American comics and spent ammunition shells so his friends called him GI Joe.

Mr Geddes left school in his early teens to attend East Cowes Technical School to learn carpentry and joining, following in the footsteps of his father, Jack.

He went on to work for local builders, A. Carpenter and Sons, until his retirement.

Mr Geddes was well known for his commitment to Shanklin Football Club, where he started playing at 17.

Once he could no longer play, he continued to support the club as a committee member, groundsman and all-weather fan on the sidelines. He was regularly seen marking out the pitch, whatever the weather.

Despite a healthy life, Mr Geddes was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer in 2012, but carried on his life until the very end, most people unaware of how ill he was.

He leaves a son and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

At his request, there will be no service, just a private burial for family and close friends at 11.30am on Thursday, followed by a gathering of family and all friends at Shanklin Conservative Club.