Gosport Borough Council's Leader has paid tribute to Dennis Wright, an Honorary Freeman and former mayor who sadly died recently.
Honorary Freeman Dennis served as a councillor for Gosport Borough Council for a total of 33 years. He was first elected in 1970, representing Brockhurst Ward for 13 years before standing down to spend more time with his young family. He returned to the Council in 1998 when elected Bridgemary Ward councillor, then served Bridgemary South and Bridgemary North following the boundary review, before retiring in 2018.
Dennis was the Labour Group Opposition Leader at times on the Council and served as Chairman of the Housing and Personnel Committees.
He was Mayor of the Borough with his late wife Jill as Mayoress, who herself served as a councillor for 17 years. Dennis also served Bridgemary Division as a Hampshire County councillor from 2001-2009.
Dennis supported his community further as a local magistrate for 33 years and as Chairman of the Governors at Foxbury Special School prior to its closure, as well as being a Governor at Brune Park School.
He was committed to charity work, volunteering with God's Port Housing Society for over 30 years, and after his retirement volunteering at the Fareham and Gosport Food Bank.
Dennis lived his whole life in Gosport and in recognition of his outstanding service to the area and its residents, he was appointed an Honorary Freeman of the Borough in 2018.
Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins said:
Dennis devoted his whole life to serving Gosport and its people with distinction, as a Councillor, in his profession and also in his extensive volunteering work helping others.
"His true dedication to the Borough saw him appointed an Honorary Freeman, the highest civic honour the council can bestow, and reflecting the immense esteem in which he was held.
"On behalf Gosport Borough Council, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy of service to our borough will never be forgotten.
