Tributes have been paid to a ‘one in a million’ former mayor of Sudbury, who has been remembered as a ‘real gentleman’.
A minute’s silence was observed at Sudbury Town Council’s monthly full meeting last Tuesday, in memory of Ray Smith, who died earlier this month.
Mr Smith represented Sudbury on the town council and Babergh District Council and had two spells as town mayor, in 1990 and 2000.
A veteran of the Royal Air Force, serving between 1952 and 1957, Mr Smith also held the position of chairman at the Sudbury branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).
After almost a decade in the role, during which he helped the organisation’s annual Wings Appeal increase its fund-raising total tenfold, he was presented the National Presidential Certificate in 2016.
Current Sudbury mayor Jan Osborne said: “Ray was a real gentleman, gentle and loyal – in fact, one in a million.
“I first knew Ray when he supported my husband with his first election campaign 20 years ago. This friendship continued for many years, including his strong connection with RAFA.
“I was very sad to receive the call from his wife, Beverley, to let us know he had died.
“It was a privilege to have known him and an honour to hold a minute’s silence for him at Sudbury full council.”
Earlier in his life, Mr Smith also served on the committee of the then-titled Sudbury and District Motorcycle and Light Car Club, during the 1960s.
In addition to stints as secretary and chairman, he was a club steward for the Scrambles and Grass Track, at Tye Farm.
Roger Chaplin, current president of the now-named Sudbury Motorcycle Club, paid tribute to his contributions.
“He was a very likable and helpful man,” said Mr Chaplin. “He did a great job as chairman.
“Years later, when he was mayor, he attended our annual dinner and awards night which, for us, was quite an honour.”
