TRIBUTES have poured in for a “dedicated” political stalwart and “loving” husband who passed away last weekend.
Tony Hurd, a long-standing Labour councillor in Canvey and former mayor of Castle Point, died aged 85 on Saturday, November 26.
Mr Hurd was an upstanding member of the community who dedicated his life to politics and family, his wife Pat told the Echo.
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“He was dedicated to politics, he loved his work as a councillor,” she said.
“He was a very loving and supportive husband and father who we will miss very much.
“We wouldn’t have lasted 64 years if not,” she quipped.
She added: “He was also an big fan of playing bowls and joined the club in Benfleet for a while.”
Born in Rochford Hospital in 1937, Mr Hurd grew up in Canvey and met his sweetheart Pat at school, at the Rayleigh Technical School, now known as Fitzwimarc School.
They married in 1958 aged 20 and 21 not long before Mr Hurd became a Labour councillor working alongside the likes of Dot Shaw and George Pickett MBE.
He was made Castle Point mayor in 1999, serving his full year term with pride, his wife recalls.
“He knew a lot of people on the island through his work as a councillor,” Pat said.
“We had lots of friends there and used to meet a lot of families, we had a lot of contacts who would like to know what has happened.”
Ray Howard MBE, freeman of the borough of Castle Point, recalled his political adversary with fondness.
“Although he was Labour and I was Conservative, we got along very well indeed,” he said,
“Tony was a very community minded man. He cared deeply about the people who he represented and lived with.
“We were councillors together for many years and shared many good times and many political battled.
“My sincere condolences go out to his family. His heart was in the right place for the people of Canvey he will be missed very much.
Tony Hurd is survived by his two children Dave and Catherine and their four grandchildren.
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