LLANDOVERY councillor Tom Theophilus has passed away, family members have confirmed.

Cllr Theophilus died on Tuesday afternoon after suffering a stroke at home.

The 84-year-old had been a stalwart of Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) and its predecessors Dyfed County Council and Dinefwr Borough Council.

Cllr Theophilus was first elected in 1976, and held his seat throughout the restructuring of the local authorities during the past 40 years.

Son Will said: “Our family have been moved by the outpouring of genuine grief by all the councillors and personnel of CCC that have dealt with my father over his 40 years involved in local government, irrespective of their political allegiance.

“Dad never disclosed anything about his business with his council obligations, but we as a family, clearly underestimated his contributions to the people he had served over the last 40 years with glowing tributes from many people in his constituency from every decade he had served, of whom we had absolutely no idea about.”

“If the future would have transpired differently, he was looking forward to meeting his recently delivered great-granddaughter for the first time over the coming days, and planned to take up fishing when he retired at the end of the full term of the council next spring, to go fishing with his grandson and visit his other grandchildren.

“His motto ‘never leave for tomorrow what can be done today’ probably sums him up the best.

“Unlike most celestial bodies, he didn’t gradually fade as a star, but his demise was to go supernova to all those he left behind. Out with a bang.”

Cllr Mair Stephens, of St Ishamel, said: “Tom was a true gentleman who held the values of the public in high esteem.

“He had the quiet respect of all who met him, which was evidenced in his long and distinguished career in local government.

“He will be greatly missed for his sense of justice for his community, his county and the wider world.

“Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Ann and his family.”

A public service of remembrance will be held at St Michael's Church, Cilycwm, on Tuesday, July 19, at 2pm.