A FORMER mayor of Chester has died peacefully at home.

Retired dairy farmer Gerry Fair, 87, had been ill with cancer since before Christmas but passed away at home in Pulford yesterday morning (Wednesday), surrounded by family.

He was mayor in 1988 and a Conservative councillor for Dodleston on Chester City Council for more than two decades until 2000 having followed his own mother on to the council.

Mr Fair leaves wife Margaret, sons Richard and John and daughters Helen and Geryl, as well as 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Richard, of Chapel House Farm, Poulton, also recalled his father also being a Freeman, an alderman and a member of Poulton and Pulford Parish Council for many years.

He said of his dad: “He was a lucky guy. He made a living out of doing his hobby. He was definitely a country person. He loved farming.”

Richard was out of the country looking at cattle when his father passed away.

He joked: “I’m sure my father would prefer me to be looking at cows in Italy rather than watching him pop his clogs!”

Brookside Farm, where Mr Fair senior was born and used to farm, is now run by Richard and his nephew Peter Cope.

Former colleague and friend Cllr Brian Bailey (Gowy) said: “He was a stalwart in the Dodleston area, an excellent farmer and a very nice man. I was very proud to work alongside him.

“He was very much into conservation and I remember him once showing me some greylags nesting on his farm.

“He also had archeological excavations on his land and he sponsored that to enable it to happen.

“He was a good mayor and much respected and liked among his colleagues.”

A memorial service will be held on a date to be fixed.