Tributes have been paid to long-serving Timperley councillor Ray Bowker MBE, who has died at the age of 83.
Cllr Bowker was elected back in 1973 and served on nearly all the Council’s committees during his time as councillor.
He was Trafford Council’s mayor during the millennium year and raised more than £71,000 for two local charities – Trafford Young Carers Project and Trafford Crossroads – during his time as civic leader.
In 2002 Cllr Bowker was awarded an MBE for a lifetime of service to the community, which he described at the time as “absolutely the greatest honour of my life”.
A lifelong Timperley resident, he served on many school governing bodies including his former school Wellington. He was chair of governors at Broomwood Primary School in Timperley at the time of his death.
He also served for more than 40 years in the Boys Brigade, 7th Altrincham Company at Timperley Methodist Church.
Cllr Bowker represented Village ward in Timperley and was the Liberal Democrat leader for many years before becoming an Independent after last May’s local elections.
Council Leader, Andrew Western, said: “Ray was a long-standing councillor who served the council with distinction and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
“He was honest, dedicated and caring, and always wanted the best for the people he represented and for Trafford as a whole.
“While we were not in the same party we worked closely together. He was a trusted friend and adviser and I held him in the highest regard. When Ray spoke people listened and Trafford has lost one of its best councillors.
“He had a lifelong commitment to helping young people in the borough and was passionate about wanting to improve their lives.
“My thoughts are with his wife Hazel, his children and grandchildren and all his family and friends at this sad time.”
Geraldine Coggins, Leader of the Green Party group on Trafford Council, added: “I was sorry to hear this news today. Ray had great knowledge and unrivalled experience of the council after his many years there. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Hazel and their family.”
