Councillor dies of suspected heart attack (From Durham Times)

Councillor dies of suspected heart attack

11:46am Friday 4th June 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor who died suddenly over the weekend.

Coun Ronnie Rodgers, who represented the Brandon ward of Durham County Council for 13 years, suffered a suspected heart attack on Sunday afternoon.

Coun Rodgers, 61, from Meadowfield, retired from his work as a fitter for Northumbria Water last year and was preparing for a trip to Paris with his wife Jill when he became ill.

Council leader Coun Simon Henig said: “This has come as great shock.

“He was a well-known campaigner and served on the old county council and the new unitary authority and was very active on both.

“Ronnie was a very dependable councillor and well known in his community.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Coun Rodgers previously had served on Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council and was the chairman of the central planning committee as well as the president of Brandon and Meadowfield Royal British Legion.

He was chairman of Carrside Youth Project and served as a governor for several primary schools in the area.

Coun Rodgers has a son and daughter from a previous marriage and two grandchildren.

Coun Brian Nelson, a parish councillor for Brandon and Byshottles, was best man at his wedding when he remarried two years ago.

The 56-year-old, from Meadowfield, said: “He was round at my house on Friday and we were talking for about an hour. He seemed fine then so this has come a great shock.

“He was very much community minded and was very active. He was well known around here and he will be missed.”

His funeral service will be held at St John’s Church, Meadowfield, next Friday, at 2pm, followed by private interment. Donations welcome for St John’s Church funds.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)