Tributes have been paid to a long-serving Carlisle councillor and former city mayor who died over the festive period.
John Collier, who was born in Wigan, was the city councillor for the Burgh-by-Sands ward and was first elected to the council in 1979.
He moved away from his hometown at the age of 18 in 1950, when he was called up for National Service, and he was based in Carlisle.
During his time on the council he was an active councillor and served on a number of panels and committees including the licensing panel, appeals panels and the development control committee.
He was also Carlisle’s last mayor of the 20th century and served from 1999 to 2000. In an interview he said: “At the time I didn’t even know where it was, though I thought it might be in Scotland. It was in Carlisle where I met my wife.
“I was first elected to the council in 1979 and was the city’s last mayor of the 20th century. It’s not bad for a pie eater from Wigan!”
His time as a councillor ended in March 2023 when the former city council was replaced by Cumberland Council following the reorganisation of local government in Cumbria.
In February 2023 he was appointed Honorary Freeman of Carlisle along with Val Armstrong and The Reverend Keith Teasdale.
Paying tribute, former city councillor Rob Currie wrote on Facebook: “I would like to post some words about my dear friend John Collier, who very sadly passed away just after Christmas.
“I first met John over a decade ago, when I began working for the Conservative Party in Carlisle as a campaign manager.
“One of my tasks was to manage the campaigning for the local election candidates across the city, and John was the already very experienced city councillor for Burgh-by-Sands.
“Despite being into his 80s and at the point where most people would be winding down, I was amazed by his boundless enthusiasm: I always knew I would be in for a good day when I received a phone call saying ‘Now then, my boy: are we going canvassing?’
“I particularly remember one Tuesday afternoon when we discovered a coffee afternoon in one of the village halls at which they were selling whisky. That quickly ended the day’s campaigning!
“When I was elected to Carlisle City Council, it was decided that the newest (and youngest) councillor should be seated next to the most experienced (and oldest) councillor.
“What I learned from John was invaluable, but I can now confess that during my first meeting I had to sit staring at the floor biting my lip for a large portion of it because he was trying, and succeeding, to make me laugh throughout.
“In turn, I used to joke with him that he laid the foundation stone at Carlisle Castle, Carlisle Cathedral, and Hadrian’s Wall, giving the Romans a cry of
‘Da eis nihil!’ as he did so, which was usually followed by a chuckle and a ‘Cheeky boy!’”
He said that John loved his family, and he would always tell him about his daughter Susan and granddaughter Claudia, and how proud of them both he was.
He added: “John also adored his dear wife Lexie. I used to enjoy visiting them both for a cup of tea and usually a cupcake (invariably prepared by Lexie), and when I would ask Lexie how life was she would laugh, shake her head, and tell me how much of a pain John had been that morning, always with a brand new idea.
“The one positive out of this is that John can be reunited with Lexie, free to spend eternity together.
“John, you will be dearly missed by everyone who knew you, and thank you for the wonderful memories and all of the laughs. May you rest in peace. Until we meet again, old friend.”
Former city and county councillor Robert Betton, who now sits on Cumberland Council in the Botcherby ward as an independent councillor, said: “I will remember John from the conversations we had regularly at the local auction sale room when we bumped into each other, or even in town passing by.
“He always asked how I was and how my business was. Local politics would be mentioned briefly, particularly around how we liked to serve our communities.
“Mostly, he would express interest and ask me about my furniture restoration and whether there were any eye-catching bargains, whether antique or modern, that we had our eyes on to bid for at auction.
“Prior to and during the 16 years I knew him, he was a very long-standing and active councillor who was not afraid to stand up at council and be heard.
“He will be greatly missed by all those he helped and represented during his many years as an elected councillor within his community. My thoughts and condolences are also with his family.”
John died peacefully at home, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, aged 93.
A civic funeral service will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church tomorrow, Tuesday January 21 at 10.30am followed by committal at Carlisle Crematorium at 11:40am. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of John will go towards the Royal British Legion.
