Tributes have been paid to former Bramley and Stanningley councillor Ted Hanley, who died at the age of 71 after a short illness.
Mr Hanley, a grandfather of two, stood down from representing Bramley and Stanningley after 12 years in 2015.
Reflecting on his dozen years as a councillor, the 69-year-old grandfather-of-two said upon his retirement as a councillor: “It has been quite hard work but a very rewarding experience.”
Tributes have this morning been paid to Mr Hanley, who passed away in the early hours of this morning.
His son, Jamie, posted on Facebook:
“Kind and generous, loyal, caring and loving – he was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa and brother.
We will miss him so much. Thank you to the staff at St James’s Hospital who looked after him in the past couple of days. God bless Dad – my ‘old fella’, my friend and my hero. Thank you for being the best.
Rachel Reeves, Labour parliamentary candidate in Leeds West, said:
“Ted was a fantastic councillor for Bramley and did so much work, particularly with Bramley Elderly Action. Most of all, Ted was a great friend, husband to Diane, father to Jamie and Paul and grandfather to Joseph and Jude. He will be hugely missed. My thoughts and prayers will be with Diane and all the family.”
Tributes also came from Bramley Elderly Action, where Mr Hanley was a supporter. General manager Lee Ingham said:
“We’re extremely sad to hear of the death of Ted Hanley. Ted has been a long time supporter of Bramley Elderly Action and Chair of our social enterprise (UpBEAt). As a local councillor he was also a long-standing champion for the people of Bramley. Ted was a big family man and all our thoughts go out to his family.”
Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds Labour Group, said in a statement:
“We were deeply shocked to hear this incredibly sad news. On behalf of the Leeds Labour Group, I’d like to pass on our sincere condolences and sympathies to Ted’s family. He was a dedicated, compassionate Labour councillor who was a dear friend to many and will be greatly missed by his colleagues on the Leeds Labour Group.”
Pudsey parliamentary candidate Ian McCargo posted on Facebook:
“Just been round to see my friends Diane, Jamie and Paul Hanley. So sorry that Ted passed away last night. He was a great loyalist to the Labour Party and a great friend of mine. This is a dreadful loss both for Ted’s family and our party. The campaign in Pudsey carries on as planned – just as Ted would have wanted.”
#Bramley #Leeds Labour Councillor Ted Hanley handing over to Candidate Julie Heselwood at the start of the election! pic.twitter.com/9qvwxKssMi
— Bramley Labour Party (@BramleyLabour) April 1, 2015
Bramley ward member Kevin Ritchie said Mr Hanley was, above all, a husband, father and grandfather and good friend to many. Cllr Ritchie added:
“Ted was a fantastic councillor for Bramley and worked incredibly hard for the local community both as coucnillor and following his retirement from public office.
“He was a generous man and great company at all times and will be sorely missed by us all.
“He was embedded in the Bramley community long before becoming a councillor, with his well-established local plastering business and gave dozens of youngsters their first opportunity in the world of work by providing quality apprenticeships over many years.”
And John Battle, Chair of Bramley Baths, paid tribute to My Hanley’s work in keeping the baths open. He added:
“Ted Hanley was passionate about serving the local community. He fought to ensure Bramley Baths would stay open for children and adults to use now and in the future. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Mr Hanley was Chief Whip of the Labour group and Chair of Housing for the West Leeds ALMO. He leaves a wife, two sons and two grandsons.