Derek Norcross OBE was struck by a car as he walked his six-year-old grandson home from school on Friday.
The 76-year-old's death has shocked his devastated family and friends both in St Helens, where he was born and brought up, and in Hastings, Sussex where he lived and was a leading light in all aspects of community life.
His brother Tony, from Windle, said: "He was larger than life and loved by many, many people. He never stopped working and helping people throughout his life."
Mr Norcross attended Higher Grade School in College Street before joining Williams Deacon's Bank in Prescot and signing up for the British Army where he served in the education core in Northern Ireland.
On leaving the army he ventured further into education and into a field that would shape his life.
He trained as a teacher at Chester College and taught at both Robins Lane and Cowley School where, as an avid Saints fan, he became close friends with rugby stars – and fellow teachers – Len Constance, Steve Llewellyn and Don Gullick.
Eccles Parish Church School near Manchester and Old Basing School in Basingstoke are where he moved up to the role of headmaster, before finally St Paul's in Hastings, moving there in 1965.
With his wife Audrey and children Andrew and Kathy, Mr Norcross settled in Hastings – the horrific crash which claimed his life occurred some 11 miles away in Robertsbridge, Sussex. He became one of Hastings' best known citizens. The grandfather-of-three was chairman for education, then chairman of East Sussex County Council, a local councillor, deputy lieutenant for East Sussex, a school governor and chair of his local hospice, St Michael's.
He was also heavily involved with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and known throughout the country as the chairman of PAT (Professional Association of Teachers).
Prince Charles presented Mr Norcross with his OBE in 2005 and he met various members of the Royal Family on regular occasions - he was due to have attended a Royal function with the Queen next week.
Tony, 70, the eldest of Derek's three brothers (also Ken, 66, and Roger, 63) added: "He lived and breathed education. His death has shattered all of us and so many people, particularly in St Helens, will be extremely sad to hear of his death."
The news has also been met with dismay in the city of Norcross in Atlanta, USA. Mr Norcross's relative, Jonathan Norcross, was the first mayor of the city which took the family name and Derek became a regular visitor to Atlanta following the Olympics there in 1996. His death has been reported in the Atlanta Journal.
An inquest has been opened into the circumstances surrounding the accident, therefore funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
It is believed the driver of the car, an elderly man, somehow lost control of his vehicle, hitting Mr Norcross and propelling him into a wall. His young grandson William had run on ahead and was unhurt.