Former Mayor of Dartford Tony Gillham, who has died at the age of 82, has been praised for his service to the community.

Mr Gillham, who was mayor from 1991 until 1992, was a parish councillor for Wilmington for three decades and also a member of Kent County Council.

He passed away on June 10 and is survived by his wife Eunice, children Michael and Elizabeth, grandchildren Christopher and Dele, and great granddaughter Lily Rose.

Mrs Gillham, 81, said: “Tony did a lot for the town and for the council.

“He was born in Stone so he was a local man and was a Dartford and a Kent councillor for 30 years.

“We had been married for 61 years having met a friend’s wedding. We certainly had some fun and did some things other people would never do.

“We had been married for 61 years having met a friend’s wedding. We certainly had some fun and did some things other people would never do." Eunice Gillham.

“When he was Mayor of Dartford we got to be with the Queen when she opened the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

“She came back and had dinner with us and put us up in the hotel at the bridge.

“He had to resign from the council when he started to get ill and went into sheltered accommodation.

“Then he went into a nursing home at Northfleet where he stayed until he was taken ill and passed away in hospital.”

Dartford councillors also spoke fondly of Mr Gillham, who became a governor at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys following his time as Mayor.

Cllr Patrick Coleman, who was elected to the council in 1976, described him as “a larger than life character”.

“I remember him to be a very effective, fluent debater in the council chamber and had a great grasp of facts and figures of any subject he spoke on,” he said.

“Those who challenged him in debate had to be very sure of their ground if they did not want to appear foolish.

“In many ways he was a larger than life character and this became very apparent to the people of Dartford in general when he was elected Mayor of Dartford in 1990/91.

“He was someone I looked up to and learnt from in my early days as a councillor and the council was all the richer for his many years there, representing Wilmington West ward.”

Mr Gillham was also looked up to by Cllr Ann Allen. She said: “Tony was a wonderful mentor to me when I was first elected to represent Wilmington West/Joydens Wood – a real pleasure to work with.

“He was extremely kind and a great champion for his electorate. Tony was also member of the old Dartford District Rural Council before the authorities combined to form the present borough council.” Cllr Ann Allen.

“He was extremely kind and a great champion for his electorate. Tony was also member of the old Dartford District Rural Council before the authorities combined to form the present borough council.”

Mr Gillham’s funeral service will take place on Monday July 4, starting from 11am at Holy Trinity Church in Dartford High Street. All are welcome to attend.

Flowers may be sent to Dartford Funeral Service in Lowfield Street, Dartford, or donations to the RNLI.