 |
| Andrew DeFreitas - forthright and passionate |
TRIBUTES have been paid to former North East Lincolnshire Council leader Andrew DeFreitas who died at the weekend.
The mayor Cllr Steve Beasant described Mr DeFreitas as "a master in the council chamber" and "a community champion".
Born and raised in British Guiana, Andrew moved to England in 1962, aged 17, leaving behind his family and friends.
He hd already been politically active in Guiana, but it was a highly-charged and violent time so it was thought best, when some friends of his were killed, that he move to England where it would be safer and he could earn more money.
For many years he sent all of his spare cash back to help his younger brother to get an education. Brian is now a highly-regarded psychologist.
In London, Andrew worked for Scribbans Kemp (later known as United Biscuits) in the Accounts Department. The business relocated to Stallingborough in 1963 where he met his wife Lynda, who was working a temporary role in between training to be a teacher.
Now in Grimsby, Andrew was first elected to Great Grimsby Council in 1969 at the age of 24, winning a seat in the then Humber Ward.
Standing on a pledge to improve the sub-standard housing stock in the neighbourhood, he took two weeks’ holiday to knock on every door in the ward.
He was an Elected Member of Great Grimsby Borough Council until it was replaced by North East Lincolnshire Council in 1996, with only a four-year break while he worked in the Middle East.
On his return to Grimsby in 1981, he was elected to a seat in Central ward, later to become Park ward, which he represented until his retirement.
He became an elected member of North East Lincolnshire Council from its inception in 1996, and went on to become Leader of the Council in 2004. He was subsequently leader again for a five-year period in 2006.
Andrew served Grimsby as a local councillor for 50 years, standing down in May 2019, at the age of 74, when he was granted Freedom of the Borough, the highest honour the council can bestow.
Over the years, Andrew also served as a Humberside County Councillor, and served on Humberside Police Authority for six years and Humberside Fire Authority for five years, becoming Deputy Chair. In 2015, he received an MBE for services to the community.
He was also a proud member of the Friends of People’s Park group, helping them to secure nearly £2-million of Heritage Lottery Funding for the restoration of the Victorian park.
He served as Deputy Mayor in 2017/2018 but stepped down due to personal circumstances before he could take up the role of Mayor. He remained a Park Ward councillor until his retirement the following year.
Mayor Cllr Steve Beasant said: "Andrew was truly amazing, I modelled myself on him.
"When he knocked on my door in 2000 and asked me to become a Liberal Democrat I had no hesitation in saying yes to him.
"He was the most dedicated councillor to his constituents and would spend hours on case work making sure that he got the very best for them.
"This is a really sad loss for Park Ward as I am sure there are many people still living there who have fond memories of him.
"Andrew was a master in the council chamber, speaking eloquently without notes, and he could recall amazing facts.
"He was respected on every side of the chamber, by members of all parties, and he was a champion not just for his ward, but for the whole of the borough.
"In my opinion, Andrew was one of a group of people who gave everything and worked tirelessly for the benefit of this borough. My heart goes out to his family and close colleagues, and we will all miss him immensely.”
NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson, said: "I knew Andrew for many years.
"We both served on Grimsby Borough Council and then on North East Lincolnshire Council.
"Andrew was a very active councillor and was leader for a while. He was a great advocate for our borough and worked very hard in his ward where he was very well respected. He will be greatly missed."
NELC chief executive, Rob Walsh, said: "Being lucky enough to have worked here for 30 years has meant that I have been privileged to work alongside, learn from and witness people who exemplify what it means to care about what they do and the people they serve.
"Andrew fitted that bill. In his prime in the council chamber, there was no one more passionate and formidable.
"As a ward councillor, representing his beloved Park ward, there was no one more driven and tenacious."
NELC Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe paid her own tribute: "It is with a heavy heart and deep respect that I will remember Andrew whose unwavering commitment to public service and whose exceptional ability to inspire those around him, including me, were truly remarkable.
Conservative Cllr Keith Brookes, who shared joint leadership of the council with Andrew from 2003-2008, said: "I was Andrew’s deputy and he was my deputy when our groups held joint control.
"He was passionate in his fight for residents that often brought conflict between us, but he was respectful in how he worked."
Cllr Kath Wheatley, leader of the Labour Group, also paid tribute to Andrew. She said: “Andrew was the absolute consummate politician. I always found him extremely helpful.
“I didn’t always agree with him, being on different parties, but he was always very kind and open and happy to give advice freely. He was always supportive of new councillors and I grew up with him. His passing truly is the end of an era.
Andrew is survived by his older sister Cleda and younger brother Brian, living in Ohio and Vancouver respectively, his ex-wife Lynda, and long term personal friend Sarah, and his and Lynda’s children, David, Mark, Ian, Helen, Anna and Kathryn.
He also leaves 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Details of Andrew’s funeral arrangements will be confirmed shortly.
No comments:
Post a Comment