A well-known Albanian who was a prominent member of several charity organisations died last week as a result of a brain haemorrhage he suffered in July.

Geoff Hall was born, schooled and worked in St Albans for his entire life and died shortly after his 73rd birthday.

Born in Ridgmont Road, he attended Fleetville and Beaumont Schools and as a youngster became a dedicated member of the 3rd St Albans Scout group. He went on to be the youngest Queen’s Scout in Herts, an accolade that still stands.

When he left school, he joined the family hairdressing business, becoming a member of the British team at the World Hairdressing Championships in Barcelona in 1975.

He met his future wife Ann – currently chair of Herts WI – through the Youth Fellowship at St Peter’s Church where he had immersed himself in all its activities.

The couple married at St Saviour’s Church in 1969 and were living in St Albans when they had their two sons, Andrew and Martin. They went on to have twin grandchildren, Darcey and Isabelle.

After his father’s death in 1982, Geoff changed career and retrained to become a financial adviser, a role he continued until he retired in 2008.

A sociable man who lived life to the full, he was a member of St Albans Lions Club, the County Club, Verulam, Mid-Herts and Whipsnade Golf Clubs and Jubilation Masonic Lodge where he became Master in 2000.

At the age of 60, he joined the Herts & Beds Woodturning Club and only a year ago he was a founder member of Redbourn University of the Third Age, organising their programme of speakers.

His son Andrew said that through those organisations, he gave a lot of time to helping and raising money for others and exuded an empathy and compassion for those less fortunate than himself.