Retired jeweller and well-known Sheringham businessman Joseph Parriss has died, aged 76.

Eastern Daily Press: The Sheringham town sign, presented by the chamber of trade during Joe Parriss' time as chairman in 1977. It commemorated the Queen's silver jubilee.The Sheringham town sign, presented by the chamber of trade during Joe Parriss' time as chairman in 1977. It commemorated the Queen's silver jubilee. (Image: Archant)

'Joe' was a former chairman of Sheringham Chamber of Trade and followed in his father's professional footsteps.

Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire on August 26 1936, he was the son of Beattie and Ernest Parriss, a second-generation jeweller and horologist.

The family moved to Sheringham when Joe was 11 years old. He attended King Edward VII School, King's Lynn, as a boarder.

In 1953 he joined the RAF for a five-year commission, completing his basic training at Padgate, Lancashire, followed by postings at Lyneham, Wiltshire, Horsham St Faiths, Norfolk, and two years in Aden, in the Middle East, as an aircraft mechanic with the transit flight crew.

1n 1958 he started his first business in Cromer, selling china and collectables.

On his father's retirement in 1960, Joe took over the family business, Parriss Jewellers Sheringham, which he developed and ran until his retirement in 2006.

The business, established in 1892, is now a fourth-generation jewellers, currently run by Joe's daughter Helen.

Joe married Sheila in 1960 and they honeymooned in Paris. The couple celebrated their golden wedding in 2010 at Voewood, the Arts and Crafts house near Holt.

Joe was an active member of Sheringham Chamber of Trade and served as its chairman for many years. His fund-raising efforts helped to light up Sheringham every Christmas.

Under his chairmanship, the chamber presented Sheringham with a new town sign in 1977, to commemorate the Queen's silver jubilee.

The sign bears the town's motto: 'Mare Ditat Pinusque Decorat' translated from the Latin to mean 'The sea enriches and the pine adorns'.

In retirement Joe took up a new hobby, art, attending many local art groups and classes.

He is survived by his wife Sheila, and two daughters, Alison and Helen, together with grandsons Joshua and Alexander.

A memorial service will take place at noon on Monday April 8, at St Peter's Church, Sheringham.

Donations in Joe's memory can be made to The British Lung Foundation, c/o Murrell Cork Funeral Directors, 57a Mundesley Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 0DB.