THE funeral will take place on Thursday of next week (July 18) of former Wellington School bursar Richard Coupe, who has died, aged 73.

Mr Coupe, of Wellesley Park, Wellington, joined the school in 1999 after serving 32 years in the Royal Navy in its supply (logistics) branch.

He was bursar for nearly 12 years during which he oversaw its extensive modernisation, including the building of what is now Wellington Prep School.

In 1997, Mr Coupe was awarded an OBE for his services to the military before retiring with the rank of commander.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Rotary Club of Wellington, serving as secretary for several years and club president in 2009.

Mr Coupe joined Freemasonry in 2010 and was treasurer of the Wellington School Lodge.

He served for several years as a co-opted member of Wellington Town Council’s town centre committee.

Along with businesswoman Donna Munson, he helped to organise the first-ever Wellington Food Fair, which is now the annual Eat Wellington festival.

He founded the Wellington Edge magazine which he and his wife Yvonne published for 18 years before handing it on to local printing firm Carly Press.

Mr Coupe played skittles for the Home Guard 4 team based in Wellington Conservative Club.

He also continued to act as a legal mediator dealing with finance cases.

Mr Coupe’s funeral service will be held in St John’s Parish Church and an in memoriam collection via funeral directors H. Tredwin and Sons will go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.