The popular independent councillor, who served Ollerton and Boughton for more than 20 years, died last Tuesday after suffering a heart attack at the age of 72.

As well as serving the town council for many years, Brian was also chairman of Newark & Sherwood District Council and became the first mayor of Ollerton in 1993.

Speaking to Chad this week, his grieving wife Jean says her husband was a wonderful, caring person who will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him.

"He was a proud, hardworking man who spent all his life trying to help people," she said. "He was very popular and did plenty of voluntary work in the community so became very well known by a lot of people –– if anybody wanted something done they would always contact Brian."

In addition to serving as a councillor, Brian worked closely on numerous community projects including Sherwood Energy Village, Homestart and at St Joseph's Catholic school.

Added Jean: "He spent all his life working hard and would always go out of his way to help someone, but equally loved spending time with his family.

"His family was very important to him, he has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren and they meant everything to him."

Condolences

And Brian's son Alister said people have been quick to pass on messages of condolences to the former mayor.

He said: "We've received a lot of letters of thanks from people he helped, which shows how much he was appreciated by everyone."

Town council leader Ben Wells was also quick to sing the praises of his former colleague and says Brian will be hard to replace.

"He was an excellent, hard worker, who was well-known and well-liked by all who knew him," he said.

"My time spent with him on the town council was very interesting and helpful and he is someone who is very hard to replace."

And mayor of Ollerton, Coun Terry Bell, echoed the sentiments of Coun Wells and says Brian will never be forgotten.

"He was a great councillor, a good colleague to have on your side, a nice man and will be sadly missed by all," he said.

Brian D'Arcy's funeral was due to take place yesterday at Sherwood Forest Crematorium.