TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a councillor described as a hardworking champion and remembered for his lifetime of service to Worcester.
Worcestershire county councillor and Worcester city councillor Andy Roberts died at home age 74 last week.
He is survived by his wife Frances, whom he married in 1974, their two children, Wayne and Victoria, and granddaughter Kim.
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Worcestershire County Council leader Simon Geraghty said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have lost a dedicated and respected cabinet member, active local councillor and for me personally, a dear friend.
“Andy’s thoughtful, measured and considered contributions will very much be missed by cabinet, by council and by the wider community in which he engaged so actively in and had such a positive impact on.”
Worcestershire county councillor Liz Eyre added: “It is very sad.
“Cllr Roberts was an excellent councillor.
“He has given a lifetime of service to the public, both as a councillor and in the fire authority.”
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Mr Roberts represented Warndon Parish at both city and county councils and was the cabinet member with responsibility for children and families.
A spokesperson for Woodgreen Church in Warndon Villages said: "We are sad to hear of the death of Andy Roberts, one of our local councillors.
"Andy was a good friend to us at Woodgreen, a vocal supporter of our activities in the local community and an annual reader at our Christmas carol services.
"We are thankful to God for the tireless way he served our local community so faithfully for many years. Our prayers are with his wife, Frances, and their children."
Mel Allcott, city and county councillor for Claines and leader of the Liberal Democrats in Worcestershire, added: "I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Councillor Andy Roberts.
"On behalf of myself and the local party, I’d like to say Andy will be missed very much.
"He was a hardworking councillor and real champion of charitable causes.
"Our thoughts are very much with Andy’s family and the Worcester Conservative Councillors."
Mr Roberts joined Worcester City and County Fire Service as a cadet junior fireman and 37 years later retired as assistant chief fire officer of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
One of his former colleagues, Boris Borkowski, said: "One of the best bosses I had in fire and rescue. RIP."
Councillor Roberts was also Chairman of the County Council’s corporate parenting board and a member of both the Health and Wellbeing Board and Joint Museums Committee.
Cllr Geraghty will cover the role of cabinet member for children and families until a new appointment is made by him in due course.
Councillor Roberts was born in Worcester and was the youngest of four children.
He was educated locally at St Clement’s Primary School and Christopher Whitehead School for Boys.
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