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Tributes have been pouring in to the “hugely popular” former Islington Green School mentor and grandfather-of-four Alan Parker, who died June 2015.

The 70-year-old history buff, West Ham fan, horse racing fanatic and fervent bridge player died in the presence of wife Toni, 67, and his four daughters at University College Hospital last Wednesday after a brief battle with colon cancer.

Barking-born Mr Parker, whose father was born in Clerkenwell, worked in Islington as a butcher, while also enjoying a spell selling school uniforms at Chapel Market.

He met Toni at Smithfield Market in 1973, when he nervously asked her to go out for a coffee with him.

She eventually agreed, romance ensued and the couple got married at Finsbury Town Hall five years later. They had four children – Chloe, 39, Michelle, 36, Jenny, 33, and Katy, 30.

Mr Parker and his wife went to university later in life, he to study sociology – though his real passion was history, particularly the Tudor period – while his wife pursued a course in applied science.

He graduated aged 53, and went on to volunteer at Clerkenwell Parochial School, before landing a job as learning mentor for troubled pupils at Islington Green School 12 years ago.

Former pupils at the school, now the City of London Academy Islington, where he worked until last year, have paid tribute to him.

Newly-qualified beauty therapist Natalie Worster, 22, was mentored by Mr Parker between 2003 and 2008.

She said: “I had a difficult time at school when my dad moved back to Ireland and I was going through a lot. He [Mr Parker] was like a second father to me. He took me under his wing and he helped me. He got me through so much.

“He was my shoulder to cry on. He would calm you down, make you feel comfortable. He was honest, and you trusted him. He was a figure anyone could go to. And if something needed to be done or said he would do it and not sugarcoat it. I don't think there’s anyone who didn’t love him.”

She added: “I got kicked out once and he got me back in. He was there when I got my GCSEs and he grabbed me and said: ‘You did it.’ I wouldn’t have made it through school without him.”

Former pupil and family friend Paige Flynn, 22, added: “If he was out at lunch the kids would follow him around, just having a chat. How many teachers would you do that with?”

Mr Parker’s eldest daughter Chloe was head of humanities when her father joined the school, and later rose to become assistant head.

“He came in when we were in special measures to help the kids that needed more than just support in the classroom,” she said.

“Kids who were worried about going to school, had problems at home, were getting into drugs, knives or gangs. He picked those kids up and helped them.

“He had a knack of not only telling the kids straight but he was very honest towards parents as well. He would really listen. That’s why the kids flocked to him.”

She added: “He had real-life experience. It wasn’t the same with us teachers. He had worked on Smithfield Market and had gone to university much later in life. He could warn them about what would happen if they didn’t get qualifications, and that’s sometimes what kids need.”

Ken Muller, a former teacher at Islington Green, said: “He was a hugely popular member of staff who had a very special relationship with the students. He was a huge figure in the life of the school.”

He added: “He’s a great loss to all of us.”

Toni, who described her husband as “one in a million”, added: “He used to come home from work upset if one of the kids was in trouble. He used to describe them as ‘my kids at school’. He just couldn’t switch off because he cared so much about them.”

Daughter Michelle added: “He didn’t want to retire really. He was trying to soldier on, but he just got too tired.”

Mr Parker, who liked pie and mash, fish and chips and cups of tea, enjoyed a day at the races, wearing his claret-and-blue blazer and cream-coloured straw hat.

The Woodberry Bridge Club, in White Lion Street, where he would play bridge every Tuesday without fail, halted play last week out of respect to their dear friend.

Mr Parker left his family a message: “I had a wonderful life. Remember me with a smile. I love you all.”

A funeral service will be held at St James Church, in Prebend Street, on Tuesday, July 14.

The cortege will leave Mr Parker’s home in Angel at 1.15pm and will halt outside the school at 1.30pm, before proceeding to the church.