Tearful tributes were paid to Cllr Paul Fishwick at last week’s full council meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.
Following a period of silence, leader of the council, Stephen Conway, said: “I’m sure everyone in this council chamber will want to join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to Paul’s wife, family and friends.
“We’ve lost a colleague and a friend, but they have had taken from them a much loved husband, father, and grandfather.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult of times.
“Paul’s life was one of unswerving and selfless public service.
“He worked as a highways officer in Surrey, and then in retirement he rededicated himself to the community as a parish and borough council for Winnersh.
“The current administration was formed in 2022, and Paul was a natural choice for an executive position to reflect his interests and commitments.
“The old highways brief was renamed active travel, transport and highways.
“Paul had the political courage to take tough decisions as an executive member, because he believed that doing the right thing for the long term interests of the people of the borough was more important than seeking short term popularity.
“He was respected across the council for his expert knowledge of the local highways network.
“At question time in the council chamber he provided impressively full and well informed answers, and was never in my recollection wrong footed.
“It his dealings with council officers, elected counillors and members of the public, Paul was unfailingly polite, courteous and helpful.
“All of us who were fortunate enough to work with him closely, appreciated both his humour and his cool head in a crisis.
“Paul’s untimely departure from our lives has, naturally, left many of us feeling deeply bereft.
“All of us in the Liberal Democrat council group feel his loss acutely.
“The best way we can honour Paul is to carry on his good work, and be inspired by his sense of public service.”
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the Conservative group, echoed Stephen’s thoughts.
She said: “I was very sorry to hear that Paul died, and I know this will be a terrible time for his family.
“On behalf of the Conservative group, I want to send our best wishes and condolences to his loved ones at this very difficult time.
“It’s a very tragic loss for the council, the Liberal Democratic group, and for the wider community.
“I know Paul will be very much missed by all the councillors and officers he worked with.
“He was very diligent, polite, professional, but he also had a great sense of humour.
Labour group leader Rachel Burgess added: “We would also like to express our sincere condolences to Paul’s family.
“In our group we had such great respect for. Paul.
“He was held in high esteem by us all for his competence, his commitment to his role, his desire to make improvements for our residents, and for his generous, warm and genuine nature.”
Other councillors from across the political spectrum also offered their condolences and shared their tributes.
