WELL known local councillor Colin Oliver has died after suffering a suspected heart attack just weeks after winning an acrimonious by election campaign.
Cllr. Oliver (pictured) – who was also the chairman of Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council – lost his Poulton North seat to Labour at the council elections in May following an acrimonious campaign, but was re-elected following a by election on July 28 after another bitter battle.
Following more acrimonious exchanges between Labour and the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Oliver returned to the council with a comfortable 211 vote majority over Labour’s Ashley Pemberton following the sudden resignation of fellow Lib Dem Sharon Wilson.
He died at home last night after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Paying tribute to his former colleague Lib Dem leader Cllr Ian Marks said: “This is desperately sad news.
“He appeared perfectly fine at the group meeting earlier this week.
“It is somewhat ironic that his recent by election victory will be getting announced at the meeting of the full council on Monday.
“Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this difficult time.
“Colin worked unbelievably hard for his constituents and achieved a great deal and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.”
Shock death of councillor
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
23 Comments
R.I.P Colin and thanks for all the hard work you did for us residents of fearnhead x
Colin was a man of immense integrity. His hard work had an impact on many in the town and the county. He will be missed by all his colleagues but are thoughts go out to his family at this time.
how very sad. i had the privelege to know colin for many years and he was an extremely kind natured and warm man and he will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.
I’m gutted. A great character who worked tirelessly for his community. RIP Colin. You were one of the best.
i didnt know colin personally but do know he put a lot of effort into looking after the community, he will be missed greatly. thoughts go out to his family.
a very sad loss to all in poulton north .a harder worker you could not meet;our thoughts to his family RIP COLIN.
A man of great spirit and drive for his residents ,I spoke to him on Thursday and he was looking forward to being back in the council chamber he will be sadly missed by all ,my deepest thoughts go out to his family and friends
Makes politics irrelevant doesn’t it ? A great Councillor – all that a local Councillor should be – hard working, not afraid to stand his ground and argue his cause – whether you agreed with him or not. A sad sad loss. How ironic that Monday would have been Colin’s first Council meeting since the (well-deserved) by-election win.
Full of life, kindness and hard working, with a great sense of humour. Loved by many he helped during his career as Councillor. Will be missed by many. My thoughts are with his family as they say goodbye to a well respected gent. RIP Colin x
Colin was my true friend and colleague whom I will sadly miss. I have known Colin and his lovely family for over 20 years and I can not put into words how his family and friends are feeling right now. My heart goes out to his family whom he was so very proud of. Colin was and always will be a remarkable man, who never gave up on anything or anyone and I am so proud to have known him and called him my friend.
Colin was a very strong and skilled adversary and led his local party well. He kept them together and was the major force in their success. I worked with him on several committees and despite our political differences we were nearly always able to put them to one side and focus on what was best for the community. He had a reputation for fighting for Poulton North, despite what the powers that be might be saying, preferring to remain true to his beliefs.
Will be immensely missed by all , a lovely genuine down to earth person who I had the pleasure to meet most weeks in and around Birchwood and Fearnhead .My sincere deepest sympathy thoughts to his wife and family at this very sad time
I am shocked to learn of the sudden death of Colin Oliver, my sincerest condolences to Colin’s Wife and family.
Colin was Chairman of Radio Warrington and was very supportive of our radio station. It ia a great tragedy and he will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Col, you brought many smiles to so many peoples lives. You will be missed. Good night, God bless
http://www.facebook.com/czoliver
We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of our friend and colleague and our thoughts are with Colin’s family and friends. It is a measure of Colin, that everyone has warm memories of him and he touched so many lives while working tirelessly for the community he lived in. He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him, not least for his sense of humour and his ready smile.
I sat next to Colin on Thursday evening and he full of energy waiting for Full Council tomorrow evening. The residents of his ward will miss him deeply for his true committment to work for them throughout the year.
He will be missed by all and my thoughts go out to his family at this time . God Bless you Colin
a very good friend. will be missed by colin annette lee and russell. our sincerest condolences to his wife chris and all of his family.
Colin worked tirelessly for the residents of this community to the detriment of his own health. He was always available and helped so many without fear or favour.
I am proud to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family at this incredibly sad time. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Colin.
was told the news saturday lunch at some training, was not till I read it in an e-mail that night that even started to beleive it was true, a real shock.
spend quiet a bit of tim at cols during the bye election, and the may elections and he was aleways very kind, frendly and funny (although the jokes were a bit rough it was the way he told them) always putting othere people first. Someone I really look up to and will miss greatly!!
Sad to hear of the passing of Mr Oliver. He was a very well known and much liked person in Poulton North. Very few people on the doorstep during the by-election said they were voting Lib Dem, but many people said they were ‘voting for Colin’. His presence in the area as Parish councillor and in the much-famed video van made him a popular figure to many people. It is an honour and also sad to have been his final political opponent. As Geoff said, he was a skilled and tough opponent who will be remembered by many as someone who dedicated himself to public service, but more, with warmth and love by his family. My thoughts and sincerest condolences are with his beloved Chris and the kids at this time.
A true gent honest reliable salt of the earth! A credit to warrington and all that our once great nation could and did produce in every way possible. A new star in our skies to watch over us all Rest in Peace my friend we will miss you!
Julia and the twins.
I am shocked to learn about Colin’s death. I had the opportunity to work with him for a couple of years and loved his enthusiasm for the job. He had immense energy, and was particularly supportive of projects that would provide support to some of the most vulnerable young people in Warrington. My condolences to his family. RIP Colin.