A MEMORIAL service was held to pay tribute to former councillor and Penistone mayor George Punt.
Coun Punt, 69, died at home. He had given 40 years of public service on Penistone Urban Council, the town council and Barnsley Council and was the town’s mayor four times.
Hundreds of family, council colleagues and residents filled St John's church to remember the man who gave 40 years' service on various councils in Barnsley.
Coun Punt died last month, aged 69. Penistone mayor Nora Collett told the service his chair was upturned at Monday’s Penistone town council meeting as a mark of respect.
Daughter Helen, with siblings Alison and Damian, joked he was so devoted to local politics his family had to make an appointment to see him.
“It’s only been in the last few weeks we have begun to appreciate the entirety of dad's involvement in caring for Penistone and its wider community.”
She added: “Far from feeling short-changed by sharing our dad we have been enriched.” Council leader Steve Houghton said Coun Punt was a man of integrity.
“We liked George but more importantly we respected him. Always liked, always respected. He was a gentleman.”
