A FORMER Mayor of Barnsley described as a ‘very special man’ has died.
Arthur Whittaker, 86, died on July 4 at Barnsley Hospital.
He was the mayor from 2000 to 2001 and a local councillor in the North East ward.
A former miner, the Grimethorpe man put his all into his community.
His granddaughter, Kate Clarke, told the Chronicle: “My grandad was someone very special.
“A loving, kind and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
“He will be missed dearly by all that knew him.
“Arthur worked at Grimethorpe Colliery.
“His fight was for Grimethorpe Colliery to stay open, not just for employment but for the benefit of the surrounding communities and the community spirit it created, his friends would say.
“Even when Grimethorpe Colliery closed, his community spirit never stopped.
“He went on to become mayor and a local councillor.
“Above all, Grimethorpe has lost one of its most well-respected gentleman.”
Coun Sir Steve Houghton added: “He was an absolute stalwart for the people of the North East Ward and Grimethorpe in particular.
“He had a really, really sharp sense of humour and sharp sense of wit.
“He was hugely supportive of all the things we've tried to do for Barnsley and tried to support everything positive that's about this borough.
“He literally worked his socks off for that community.
“He was a fantastic mayor, but he also was mayor at a time when he'd had a serious cancer illness.
“And he invited his surgeon to come to his mayor making, which was just a fantastic thing to do.
“He was just a lovely, lovely guy and I'm really sorry that he's now passed away and my thoughts go with him to his family and friends.”
His funeral will take place on Tuesday at 9am at St Luke’s Church in Grimethorpe, then on to Grimethorpe Cemetery where he will join his beloved wife Margaret.
A celebration of his life will then be held at Grimethorpe Working Men’s Club, all are welcome.
