Mark Arman

My uncle Mark Arman, who has died aged 93, took a great interest in painting, sketching and photography. Most of his working life was spent with Customs and Excise, where he refused promotion to concentrate on his hobbies.

Born in Ipswich, he left school early after his postmaster father died young. His first job was in the Post Office, but he later moved to Customs and Excise. He served in the second world war. Then, in 1958, Mark, his wife Maidie and daughter Jennie moved to Thaxted, Essex, where they fell in love with the local church. He took an interest in village affairs, and played a part in the restoration of its guildhall, almshouses and windmill. He was awarded an MBE for his work and was proud to have preserved so much.

Taking early retirement, he became a potter, producing plates, mugs and bowls for galleries and shops. He became fascinated by printing, in particular the different fonts and decorative styles used by the Victorians. He had experience of an Adana printing press, but in Thaxted acquired an antique Albion printing press. There followed a series of books on fonts and the Victorian use of fleurons all beautifully written, printed and bound by him, under the name of the Workshop Press. These are now collectors' items. In his 70s, when his sight began to fail and he could no longer see the small type on the printing press, he turned to the computer and kept on writing.

His adored Maidie died in 1999. He picked himself up and determined to make something of what life was left to him. He began writing of times past, and his final book was entitled Nine Lives. His zest for his hobbies and interest in our lives always made visiting him a time of pleasure.

He is survived by his daughter and five grandsons.