Death of council leader

THE leader of Peacehaven Town Council, Tony Howard, died on Sunday evening. He was 66 and had been suffering from lung cancer.

Cllr Howard was diagnosed with the disease two years ago and had been undergoing chemotherapy for the last two months.

A Liberal Democrat, Cllr Howard, of Cairo Avenue, had been on the council for 12 years and was leader for eight years. He was also Peacehaven Mayor in 1997-98.

Cllr Howard had been fighting the illness by undergoing radiology for six to seven months before starting the chemotherapy. He spent most of his treatment time at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey.

Cllr Howard leaves a widow, Pauline, who is the present Peacehaven Mayor, a son, Simon, 32, and a daughter, Amanda Margolis, 36.

Campaign

Simon said his father was going to be missed. 'He cared very passionately about the town and what was happening to it. What was occupying his thoughts primarily was the development of the Portobello works. He was leading the campaign against it.

'When he was diagnosed with cancer he fought it very bravely. Even last Sunday morning he was up and about and tending to council matters.'

Tributes to Cllr Howard have been pouring in from across the political spectrum. One of his fellow councillors, Alan Byng, said: 'Tony was a fighter he fought for other people and he fought against the cancer. He wouldn't let anything get him down. He wanted to achieve so much before he left the town and I hope that we, as a town, will be able to carry on, on his behalf.'

He added: 'He was an inspiration to us all. He worked tirelessly for charities and raised a lot of money for the Royal Marsden. He was a man with a large heart and he always put others before himself.'

John Hodgson, a former Labour district and town councillor for Peacehaven worked alongside Cllr Howard for many years. He said: 'I am deeply saddened by his death. With Tony the town and community came first and Tony came second. All of our sympathies and hearts go out to his wife, son and daughter.'

Conservative councillor John Livings said: 'He was a man who dedicated his life to the well-being of Peacehaven and the community. Between he and I there was never any politics. He was a fighter to the very last minute. He was a very forceful character and one that will be sorely missed.'

The funeral is due to take place on Wednesday (August 21) at 11.30am at the Church of Ascension, Bramber Avenue.