Simon Hughes has led tributes to George Dunk, a former Liberal Democrat councillor for Bermondsey’s Riverside ward, who died last month.
George Dunk passed away on April 27, in St Thomas’ Hospital, after a short illness, his family confirmed.
Mr Dunk was elected Liberal Democrat councillor for Riverside ward in 1990 and re-elected in 1994. He stood down in 1998, and later became an Alderman.
On behalf of Bermondsey and Southwark Liberal Democrats, Sir Simon Hughes, Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP from 1983 to 2015, said: “George Dunk was a passionate, dedicated, compassionate and hugely committed Liberal and Liberal Democrat, well-known and loved throughout the party, and across the Riverside ward in Bermondsey which he proudly represented for eight years.
“His fourteen years of marriage to his South African wife Sandra, who shared his Liberal commitment, saw them working together for three years on the council after Sandra’s election as a Dockyard councillor in 1995.
“At a personal level George was the kindest and most generous of men, and most loyal of friends. It was typical of George that in his last text message to me from his St Thomas’ hospital bed he ended with the p.s. ‘ have voted’, meaning he had sent in his postal votes for the council elections.
“George will be hugely missed – but we hope and pray will now be reunited with his parents and his beloved Sandra.”
His wife Sandra stood unsuccessfully as Liberal Democrat candidate in St Giles ward in 1994 but was elected in a 1995 by-election for Dockyard ward, and served at the same time as George, until 1998.
George Dunk was born on January 13, 1951, in Bromley, Kent, the second of four siblings – his sister Hazel and younger twin brother Gordon and sister, Margaret.
He attended Bromley Technical College before joining City University and following a career in ship and yacht insurance before becoming director of Delta Publishing.
He married Sandra Mason in 1990. The couple, who did not have children, lived in Streatham before moving to Southwark, where they lived on Howland Way, Dean Close and most recently in Salter Road in Rotherhithe.
Mr Dunk was a Crystal Palace FC supporter from his youth, and a Wales rugby supporter as his great uncle Harry Uzzell once captained the Welsh team.
According to Mr Dunk’s family, he loved aircraft, ships and trains, and was a great supporter of the RNLI charity, particularly at St Ives in Cornwall, where the family spent many holidays.
There will be a funeral for family and close friends only at St George’s Church, Weald, Sevenoaks, followed by a cremation, on Friday, June 15.
A memorial service is planned to be held at St James Church, Thurland Road, Bermondsey SE16, on Saturday, July 21.
All details available from FA Albin and Sons, 52 Culling Road, SE16 020 7237 3637 or visit www.albins.co.uk.