COUNCILLORS paid tribute on Wednesday night to former councillor Roy Preston who has died.
His passing was announced at the full meeting of Greenwich Council by new mayor, David Grant.
Mr Preston was a Labour councillor for what was the Charlton ward between 1974 and 1986, and more recently was the Chair of the Blackheath Westcombe Labour Party.
The mayor asked for a minute’s silence in memory of Roy Preston also led the tributes: “I had a great deal of respect for his views on a wide range of subjects.”
Blackheath Westcombe ward councillor Alex Grant said “It was a real shock when I heard. He was incredibly active right up until his death. He will be greatly missed.”
Conservative councillor Dermot Poston said, “There’s no doubt about Roy Preston, he was notable for the conscientious contribution he made to the affairs of this council and I have no doubt at all we have lost a very good man.”
Cllr Mary Mills said: “I heard about Roy’s death yesterday lunchtime and I spent most of yesterday and this morning not believing it. Most people in the Labour Party knew Roy and knew him quite well… I want to say how sorry I am.”
Cllr Allan McCarthy said of Mr Preston: He was very resolute in his determination but he was someone with whom you never fell out and I regarded him, and indeed his family, as great friends. My condolences, and I’m sure for all of us go to his family.”
I would also like to pass on my condolences to Roy Prestons family .He was a governor at Thomas Tallis and worked endlessly in ensuring that students got the best education enabling them to aspire and progress on to great things. He was constantly in pursuit of fairness and justice for all.This was very sad news indeed.
I would like to join Cath Barton in also passing on my condolences to Roy’s family. He was someone who supported Thomas Tallis school as a Governor with passion and integrity. He had the education, in the widest sense, of all students at the heart of all he did as a Governor and worked tirelessly for them, the staff and the school community as a whole. A very sad loss indeed.
The sadness of Roy’s death lingers. However, we should all take consolation in the legacy he’s left us all…a selfless, fearless man who was just him!
Let’s all try and emulate Roy, upholding the values we believe in fearlessly.