Maldon Society committee member Martin Pike died after suffering a heart attack on Christmas Eve. He was 66 and would have celebrated his 67th birthday this week. Niece Frances Gell, 55, said he was a very kind-hearted uncle. She said: “He had many friends and he was involved in many societies over the years. “He was also in the Territorial Army for many years and had many adventures. “He was a civil servant all his life and took early retirement which is when he got involved with many societies. “My favourite memory has to be every Christmas. “He had a thing about Brussels sprouts so he used to make sure we had enough.