Tributes have been paid to a "family man" from Croxley Green who led a local boys' group for over 50 years.

A thanksgiving service was held at Croxley Green Baptist Church on Friday, March 15, for Colin Abbiss, who passed away on February 19, aged 84.

His wife Rhiannon said it was a “really emotional” event as Reverend Lisa Kerry led the service and tributes were made by his family, church, friends and representatives of the 2nd Croxley Green Boys' Brigade.

Known affectionately as “Mr A”, Colin led the local branch of the Christian youth organisation for 58 years from 1965.

The group meets at the Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school, where boys from age five to 18 can do crafts, and learn life skills and Christian messages.

Watford Observer: Colin Abbiss passed away at age 84 on February 19.Colin Abbiss passed away at age 84 on February 19. (Image: Rhiannon Abbiss)Rhiannon said: “We thought there would be about 150 people, but the church was full and it had to go into an overflow in the back hall.

“There were 250 people stretching over seven decades of Colin’s time as captain, going back to 1965 right up until the current day.

“It was a very moving service and a fitting tribute to Colin for the years of service he had done.”

A “real Croxley-ite”, he was born there in 1939 and he met Rhiannon at the church’s youth club in the 1950s.

The couple moved into their home in the village after they married in 1965 where they lived together until he passed earlier this year.

Colin did three years of National Service in the Royal Air Force from 1959 to 1962 and then worked as a TV service manager at the H F Sheffield electronics shop in Abbots Langley for 30 years.

Watford Observer: The Boys' Brigade in the 1950s, with Colin back row on the right.The Boys' Brigade in the 1950s, with Colin back row on the right. (Image: Rhiannon Abbiss)

From 2001 to 2002, he carried out six months' voluntary service in Durban, South Africa, with the Boys’ Brigade and worked for 12 years at the Watford homeless charity GROW upon his return. 

Rhiannon said he liked to watch Watford FC play and that their lives revolved around their family and the church, where he remained an active member for all his life.

Watford Observer: Colin Abbiss at the surprise event in 2015 to celebrate 50 year's service.Colin Abbiss at the surprise event in 2015 to celebrate 50 year's service. In 2015, over 100 people attended a surprise parade organised by church figures to thank him for his 50 years of service to the boys' group.

He is survived by his wife, as well as son Mathew, 52, daughter Sian, 49, and three grandchildren, Isabel, 21, Emily, 15, and Evie, 13.