A FORMER Rotary Club president who helped to save Clacton’s West Cliff Theatre from closure has died, aged 86.

Peter Anselmi died at Clacton Hospital on March 12 after a short illness.

Mr Anselmi was born on Boxing Day in 1928 at the Ellisdene Nursing Home, which was then based in Ellis Road, Clacton.

He went to school in Clacton until the Second World War broke out, when he was evacuated to Eastcombe in Gloucestershire.

Mr Anselmi joined the RAF for his National Service in 1947 and became a wireless operator with Air Sea Rescue Command.

After being demobilised, he returned to Clacton and joined the RAF Association. He was part of the committee that raised money to buy a house in Pier Avenue that became the branch’s headquarters, known as the RAFA Club. The building is now the Warwick Arms pub.

Mr Anselmi was a long-time member of Clacton Operatic Society and for many years was stage manager. He later became chairman and then president.

He was also a life member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, during which time he met association patron the Queen Mother.

When he heard the West Cliff Theatre was to close, Mr Anselmi and Mike Freeman formed a trust to take over the running of the venue when it was not being used for the summer shows.

It became the West Cliff Theatre Trust, of which Mr Anselmi was vice-president.

He was also the instigator of the Friends of West Cliff Theatre and became president. He was made honorary vice-president when he stood down in 2010.

Mr Anselmi was a keen Rotarian and joined the Clacton branch in 1968, serving as president in 1976. He visited more than 300 Rotary clubs around the world and was made an honorary member in 2013.

He was well-known around Clacton and owned two restaurants, one in Pier Avenue, which had been in his family since 1920, and another in Rosemary Road, which he bought in 1982.

Wife Bobbie Anselmi said: “He was born, lived and died in the town he loved and was always proud to claim that he was a true Clactonian.”