Bracknell Forest Cllr Raymond Simonds was described by his peers as “a real trooper” and “a joy to work with”
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Raymond Simonds was ‘a real trooper’ say colleagues
December 29, 2009
A well-known councillor, described by his peers as “a real trooper” and “a joy to work with”, has died after a short illness.
Bracknell Forest Cllr Raymond Simonds, who represented Owlsmoor ward, died in hospital on Thursday, December 17, aged 73.
Cllr Simonds, who is survived by his wife Margaret, was first elected to Bracknell District Council in 1983. He did several stints on the council and was most recently re-elected in 2007.
The councillor had many duties including sitting on several panels, acting as vice chairman on one, and was also well-known in the town centre for his work with the elderly at the Look In café.
He was also on Sandhurst Town Council and worked part-time at the Homebase store in Sandhurst until a few weeks before his death.
The former Met Office worker enjoyed watching sport, travel, gardening, arts and the countryside.
Council leader Cllr Paul Bettison said: “Ray was a real trooper who served his electors selflessly.
“He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues throughout Bracknell Forest and our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family and especially to his wife Margaret.”
Fellow Owlsmoor councillor David Worrall, who led a minute’s silence for Ray at a council planning meeting on Thursday, December 17, added: “Ray was a joy to work with because he was reliable and very knowledgable. He was also a loyal friend and was greatly respected by the residents in his ward and by his fellow councillors.”
His funeral will be held at 1.30pm on Friday, January 8, at Easthampstead Park Crematorium with donations to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.
A by-election will be held early next year.
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