Market Drayton is stunned and saddened this week after the sudden death of former mayor Barry Pitt.
Mr Pitt, who was 74, suffered a severe stroke at his home in Prospect Road, Market Drayton, last Thursday.
He was treated by paramedics before being rushed to the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, where he died peacefully on Monday evening.
Mr Pitt was mayor of Market Drayton in 2001, a town councillor for eight years and former chairman of the Drayton Civic Society, the town council’s Arlon Twinning sub-committee and a Grove School governor for 12 years.
He was made an Honorary Townsman in April and is survived by his wife Sarah, three children and three grandchildren.
Sarah said: “We moved to Market Drayton in 1970 and it was going to be for five years – but 39 years later, we’re still here and a lot of that is due to the people we’ve met in the town.
“The support we’ve received has been absolutely amazing from all walks of life and Barry seems to have touched so many lives.
“He was so positive about everything and he wanted Market Drayton to become a better place for people to live in.
“Barry gained great satisfaction out of his work in education, he was a great supporter of the Festival Drayton Centre and was delighted with everything that happened there.”
Mr Pitt was born in Manchester, married Sarah 46 years ago and all three of his children were educated at Market Drayton schools.
Colin Garnett, who succeeded Mr Pitt as Arlon Twinning sub-committee chairman in June, said: “Barry was a tremendous representative of our community and the country and we think to ourselves ‘how are we going to replace him?’
“I loved the man dearly and I was proud to have him as a friend of mine, which is something I will treasure.”
Close friend and former Market Drayton mayor Brian Ford said: “Barry was a special man and he always had the view that things could be improved by action and bringing people together.
“I’ll remember him as a warm and extremely supportive friend who’ll be sadly missed.”
Current Market Drayton mayor Councillor Roy Aldcroft said: “I was deeply shocked to hear of Barry’s death earlier this week.
“His passing is a sad loss to the town and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
A thanksgiving service for Mr Pitt will take place at St Mary’s Church, Market Drayton,on September 11 at 2pm.
By Winston Brown
