Shock as much loved Coventry councillor dies

Coventry City Council is in a state of shock this morning following the tragic death of former Lord Mayor Gary Crookes.

Leader of the Council George Duggins and leader of the Conservatives Gary Ridley have this morning both paid tribute to a "well loved man".

Tributes have also been pouring in on Twitter to the Wainbody ward councillor.

Cllr Crookes was first elected to represent Wainbody as a Conservative councillor in 1995.

He was Lord Mayor between 2013-2014 and still served the residents of the Wainbody as a Conservative councillor after being re-elected in the 2018 local elections.

"Life is precious"

Cllr George Duggins paid tribute this morning and said: "First and foremost it is tragic and unexpected news, my thoughts are with Shirley [Gary's wife] and the family.

"I have known Gary since he came on the council in 1995, and for some part of that he shadowed me and was always constructive and supportive.

"He was a present and decent man, and was a great Lord Mayor as well.

"He will be sadly missed, he was a great friend of Coventry and passionate for the city and his passion is a great loss.

"I couldn't really take it in last night when I was told, I only saw him on Monday just gone and he seemed fine.

"Life is precious."

Leader of the Conservatives Cllr Gary Ridley echoed the thoughts of Cllr George Duggins.

Cllr Ridley said: "We are in a bit of a state of shock.

"I had the phone call last night about 10pm, his wife wanted us all to know.

"It is a real shock.

"Gary served the residents of Wainbody with decency and compassion, and he will be sorely missed.

"One of the things I will remember, he was a magnanimous character when he approached me to say I was doing a great job a into year into my leadership.

"He was a great man with a good heart, he knew what to say at the right time.

"We are all thinking of his family and wish them well.

"There is a great deal of sadness around on all sides."

Long serving councillor

For nearly a quarter of a century, Gary played a leading role in several areas, including the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board and as Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Jobs and Regeneration.

He also served on the Licensing and Planning committees, as well as helping several charities and organisations, including the Coventry General Charities Trustees and the Sir Charles Barratt Memorial Foundation.

Gary was immensely proud to serve as Lord Mayor of his adopted city in 2013 and it was a role he carried out with distinction.

Gary was raised in Warrington but moved to Coventry in 1973 having met his Coventry-born wife, Shirley, when they both studied at the University College of North Wales, in Bangor.

He became a field engineer for Plessey Telecommunications and made Coventry his home.

He was a devoted father and grandfather.

Lady Mayoress Shirley Crookes and Lord Mayor Gary Crookes with Peeping Tom in 2014

Several councillors have also paid tribute on Twitter.

Below are just a few of the heartfelt messages left in memory of Cllr Crookes:

John Blundell: "My good friend and colleague was a dedicated hardworking councillor with a keen eye for detail. Very sincere condolences to his wife Shirley and his family. RIP."

Allan Andrews: "Very sad news. Wainbody Ward has lost a committed councillor who went above and beyond for his community. A genuinely good and decent guy. Thoughts with Shirley and his family."

Cllr Ram P Lakha OBE: "Very shockingly surprised and sad to read the death of Cllr Gary Crookes. My thoughts with Shirley and their family. Condolences to Shirley and the family."

As a mark of respect, the civic flag at Coventry City Council is flying at half-mast today.

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