Councillor and Punch and Judy showman John Tuck dies

The ex-Liberal Democrat councillor represented the now defunct Pinner West ward from 1994-1998 after winning the seat by eight votes.

He moved from Pinner to Telford in 1999 and had a number of health problems before his death.

Over the past two years his sight deteriorated and acquired a guide dog from a charity near his home. He became extremely attached to the dog, named Simpson.

After serving on Harrow Council for two years he became an independent candidate with Herbert Crossman, who said: "He was a great guy and very friendly, but also quite outspoken. He was always trying to get the best for the people of the borough and his ward."

The former councillor and retired printer had a wife named Margaret who died two years ago and is survived by two sons, Simon, 41, and Mark, 33, and a daughter Anne-Margaret, 42.

He also had five grandchildren, Bethany, Daniel, Rebekah, Joshua and Maliaka.

His son Simon said: "All of us will miss him dearly. Everyone who ever had met dad would say they would never forget him. He truly was a character of life, joy and a generous spirit and in the words of Mr Punch 'That's the way he did it!'"

The former Canterbury Road, North Harrow resident also fought for the preservation of the church field at St George's where he had served as a previous Church Warden.

He was also involved with the Boys Brigade, he acted both professionally and locally, was a Mason, worked as a magistrate and showed his humorous side through Punch and Judy shows and performing as a clown and magician.

Mr Tuck had his own small printing business.

The only Liberal Democrat on the council at the moment, Chris Noyce, said: "He was very hard-working like all members of our group and believed in sticking up for local people, even if he didn't have a great grasp of planning law."

The outspoken councillor also ran Punch and Judy shows across the borough under the name Ronnie Alden, which were very popular and appeared each year at the Harrow Show.

His friend, Ken Whitcombe, who ran his local charity for visually impaired people, said: "He was a very active member of the community here and was a keen fund raiser".

The funeral was held last Thursday at Telford Crematorium and Mr Tuck requested that any donations were made to his guide dog charity in Shrewsbury.