Those are the words of Kirsten Ovenden whose father, Ian Gillies the former Lord Mayor of York has died aged 78, just over a fortnight after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Mr Gillies had been a Conservative councillor for Rural West York, for 12 years when he retired in 2019, twice serving as Conservative group leader, and also as City of York Council leader.
He died peacefully at home in Upper Poppleton, surrounded by family.
His wife, Pat, said: "He was just a wonderful kind man and his was a life well-lived".
"He was a fantastic husband, I never wanted for anything. He worked hard all his life and we had a wonderful life together for over 57 years".
Born in Fife in Scotland, the young Ian moved to York as an only child with his parents when he was just eight, going to Tang Hall Primary School and St John's School in the city before starting work in the British Rail offices.
He moved down to London and joined the Metropolitan Police, but returned to York when his mother became ill, joining the York City Police.
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THE results of major ongoing work to help transform rail travel between York, Leeds and Manchester have been published.
