THE family of former Waverley mayor and Elstead councillor, Richard Terry, have paid tribute to his life after he peacefully passed away aged 75 on Sunday, May 27.

Mr Terry was born on August 10, 1942, to Elfreda and Charles Terry and lived in Elstead for his entire life.

He worked as a communications engineer with BT and project managed the first digital telephone exchange in Guildford during the 70s. In 1992, Mr Terry set up his own business as a communication consultant, which included fault-finding telephone masts for Orange.

His latest role was with Surrey Police, working as a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator for three years. He retired aged 70.

He also took on a range of community work, some of which included helping with Elstead Cubs, being the founder member of Elstead Youth Club, founder member of Elstead Riding Club and chairman for 36 years, and chairman of Elstead Garden Club.

As well as being part of the church choir and singing with the Dickensian singers for 25 years, Mr Terry was also a keen long-distance horse rider and impressively taught himself how to shoe his own horses.

For 44 years Mr Terry was an Elstead parish councillor and was the parish planning committee vice chairman. He was a member of Waverley Borough Council for over 20 years and was the Waverley borough chair of planning for three years. He was Mayor of Waverley in 2003/04.

He met his wife of 53 years, Diana Terry, aged 18 and married in 1964 aged 22. They had two children - Ian, born in 1968, and Lynn, born two years later. Mr Terry was also a grandad to Phoebe, 12, Charlie, 14, Grace, 23, and Josh, 25.

In 1999, Mr Terry had a heart valve replacement followed by several pacemakers. While fixing a fence in December 2013, he fell and crushed a vertebrae, before suffering another fall in November 2017. He broke ribs, his back and hit his head, causing temporary brain damage. Following time in hospital, he was transferred to Eastbury Manor Care Home in January, where he later died.

Mrs Terry said: “I don’t think I ever heard him complain. The family are very grateful for the care and devotion by all the staff at Eastbury Manor Care Home.”

The funeral will be held on June 20, 12pm, at St James’ Church, Elstead.