"We will all miss him dreadfully"
Hammersmith and and Fulham Council's website has been flooded with messages of sympathy from friends and colleagues of Antony Lillis, councillor of Fulham Town ward, who has died after a battle with cancer at the age of just 42.
The tributes were led by his co-councillor, MP Greg Hands, who said: " It is with great sadness that I learned from the Mayor of the tragic death of Councillor Antony Lillis.
" Antony passed away only a few weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, and the rapid course of events has been both alarming and distressing for all who knew and loved Antony.
" Antony was brought up in Fulham, attended Henry Compton school, and served the Borough with great distinction as a senior councillor for over 19 years. He was also my co-councillor in Town Ward, and a great friend.
" Antony reached out to people in a way that most politicians struggle to do, and was universally both loved and respected by both his political allies and opponents, and, more importantly, by those with no political affiliation at all.
" Antony was Fulham through and through. Antony was about the same age as me, and his premature loss will be felt by thousands of local people, but most of all by his family and close friends, almost all of whom are local. Our thoughts are most of all with them at this difficult and sad time."
Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, Leader of the Council, added his own tribute to Antony, who served as Cabinet Member for Community and Children's Services and Licensing Committee Vice-Chairman.
He said: " Antony has been a councillor for nearly 20 years. He was born and brought up in Fulham and lived all his life in the borough. Much of his life was dedicated to public service and in particular the children and elderly residents of the borough.
"Antony will be sorely missed across the council, in our local schools and by many groups in the community and voluntary sector."
Other people from across the political spectrum remembered Antony's energy and enthusiasm, his passionate commitment to helping local children, and above all his good humour.
Peter Okali, Chief Executive of CaVSA summed up many people's feelings by saying: " He will be sorely missed but never forgotten."
July 29, 2009