Former Lord Mayor of Bristol Jack Fisk dies at 87

Former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Alderman Jack Fisk who was a councillor for more than 40 years, has died at the age of 87.

He served as a Labour city councillor for Henbury from 1954 to 1998.

He became Lord Mayor for the second time in 1997, 21 years after first holding the office.

He was only the third person since World War II to become Lord Mayor twice.

He was awarded an OBE in 1994 for his services to local government and in 1998 he was awarded an honorary MA degree from Bristol University in recognition of his work in health, local government and the local community.

After stepping down as a city councillor Mr Fisk continued to attend meetings of the city's Aldermen.

He was also a governor at Henbury School and president of the Bristol branch of the Merchant Navy Association.

During his second term as Lord Mayor, one of his most important achievements was keeping the Matthew in Bristol.

Helen Holland, leader of the Labour group on Bristol City Council, last saw Jack three weeks ago at the unveiling of a new painting in the Council House.

She said: "Anyone who ever met Jack never forgot him.

"He had a passion for Henbury, the area that he represented for many years; and he had a passion for democracy across Bristol.

"He was a real servant to the city council for all of the decades that he sat.

"I knew Jack well and it was always good to see him. He always had a big presence and a wicked sense of humour."

Ms Holland said that there was a fitting tribute to Jack in the form of a painting that hangs in one of the committee rooms in the Council House.

The painting shows him sitting on the building committee in the Lantern Room of the old Council House, approving the design of the current Council House.

Hamish Grant, chairman of the Bristol branch of the Merchant Navy Association, said that Jack was a "real gentleman".

He said: "I think that the world will be a sadder place without him. He had such wisdom, gave wonderful advice, always kept a level head and he was so kind."

Former Labour Lord Mayor Royston Griffey also paid tribute to Mr Fisk.

He said: "I was very sorry to hear that Jack had died. He was a highly respected councillor and Lord Mayor who will be very sadly missed."