“DEEP sadness” has been expressed at shock news of the sudden death of Petersfield’s deputy town mayor, Councillor George Watkinson, this week after a short illness.

Cllr Watkinson made a “huge contribution” to Petersfield, said town clerk Neil Hitch announcing the news, having lived in the town for more than 35 years and represented the Causeway ward on the town council for the Liberal Democrats for 25 years.

He served as town mayor on three separate occasions and would have undertaken the role for a fourth time this year but for the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak to normal council activities.

Mr Hitch, a close colleague of Cllr Watkinson for some 14 years, said: “This is a very sad day indeed.

“George was one of those sitting on the panel that appointed me to this role in 2006 so has been an absolute constant in my time serving the community of Petersfield.

“He and his late wife Jacquie attended my graduation in 2011 during one of his stints as town mayor for the degree in community engagement and governance that the council sponsored me through.

“He will be sorely missed for the depth of his knowledge and his dedication to the town’s community, which he loved. At least he and Jacquie are now reunited.

“Our thoughts are with George’s family at this exceptionally sad time.”

Town mayor Cllr Lesley Farrow added: “George was a trusted friend and colleague but was also so much more than this.

“When I was first elected to serve on the town council in 2011, he very quickly became a close mentor to me as I began to learn the ropes of local government.

“His knowledge of council procedure was a considerable benefit to me as well as my councillor colleagues and will be sorely missed.

“It is such a shame that Covid-19 got in the way of George being able to serve as town mayor for a final time in his 25th year of being a town councillor but the legacy he has left this community is considerable and we are all beneficiaries of that legacy in many ways.”

After serving in the Royal Navy for 35 years, then the civil service, Cllr Watkinson and his late wife Jacquie moved to Petersfield in 1979. They are survived by two children and two grandchildren.

He also in his time served as a governor at Petersfield Infant School for 14 years and was a trustee of the open-air swimming pool.

Speaking ahead of the 2018 local elections, he said: “I am keen that the town council achieves the best possible outcomes for the residents of Petersfield, always bearing in mind the cost to council tax payers.”