TRIBUTES have been paid to Cllr Colin Richards, who died on Sunday at the age of 75.
He died at St Mary’s Hospital.
The father of six and grandfather of nine was married to his wife, Sheila, for 45 years.
Born on the Island, Cllr Richards was passionate about his community and was a governor at Newchurch Primary School, which he, his children and grandchildren had all attended.
He had farmed all his life, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Cllr Richards was a member of the Island Independent Group and proudly represented the Arreton and Newchurch ward.
The seat will remain empty until the elections in May.
He served on the IW Council from June 2001 to April 2005, and again from January 2009, up until his death.
He was also chairman of the licensing committee from May 2013 to May 2015, and chairman of the appeals committee from May 2013 up until his death.
Cllr Julia Baker-Smith, leader of the Island Independent Group, said Cllr Richards was a man of great integrity.
"Colin was the grandfather figure of the group, always on hand with his advice and wisdom," she said.
"He was a man of great integrity, who truly cared for his community and his Island.
"Even in his final weeks and months, Colin was still assisting and representing the residents of Arreton and Newchurch.
"Colin was a key figure in County Hall and will be sadly missed by all who knew him."
Island MP Andrew Turner has paid tribute to Cllr Richards, saying the IW would be a poorer place without him and fellow councillor Morris Barton, who had died a few days earlier.
"Colin was quiet and unassuming. He was a real gentleman; one of the old school.
"His love of the countryside and the area he represented was obvious to all who met him," he said.
Cllr Richards’s funeral service will take place on February 7 at the Pavilion, Watery Lane, Newchurch, followed by a burial at Newchurch cemetery.
For more tributes to Cllr Richards, visit the County Press website at www.iwcp.co.uk.