Alan Hart, who served as a Wolverhampton Conservative councillor between 1976 and 2007, died yesterday (6 May) at the age of 79.
Mr Hart was Wolverhampton's Civic leader in the 2004/05 year and was later made an Honorary Alderman of the city.
He was born in Bushbury in February 1934 and educated at St. Peters Collegiate School, Wolverhampton before going on to study at Wolverhampton and Staffordshire College.
He ran a building and plumbing business with his father and younger brother Robert, who also served as Mayor in 2002/03, until he retired in 1999.
Councillor Hart became an active member of the Conservative Party in 1968 and was then elected to represent Penn in 1976, which he served until 2007.
Over the years he has served on most of the major committees and he has been chair of planning on two occasions.
Councillor Neville Patten, leader of the Wolverhampton Conservative Group, said: "Alan was a close friend of mine and I'd known him for many years.
"He was a stalwart of the group and the council, especially as chair of planning. You could always rely on Alan to make good, common sense decisions.
"He made an excellent Mayor who kept the council in good running order. He didn't suffer fools gladly and was widely respected.
"Since he was made Alderman, I have kept in touch with him and he will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his brother Robert, nephew Edward and sister Beryl."
Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Alan was well respected across the whole political spectrum."
- released: Tuesday 7 May, 2013