A FORMER councillor who dedicated a quarter of a century serving the people of St Helens has died.

Leon McGuire, 91, died on Wednesday evening while in his care home.

An army veteran, Leon sat on St Helens Council from 1987 until his retirement in 2012, representing Moss Bank, Earlestown, Newton East and Newton West.

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Leon was born in India, where his father was in the forces, before returning to the UK when war broke out, going to school in Edinburgh.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Leon joined the Royal Artillery Boys Battery, where he remained for 27 years.

After rising through the ranks to become battery sergeant major, he left the forces and settled down in Newton-le-Willows.

Leon married Margaret Thomas in 1955, and they had four sons together.

Following a 20-year career with the civil service, Leon was first elected to St Helens Council in 1987.

He served as mayor of St Helens in 2003-2004.

In 2015, Leon was named an Honorary Alderman by St Helens Council in recognition of his services to the borough.

Following his passing, a host of politicians from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Leon the former veteran and councillor.

Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council said: “I am extremely sad to hear about Leon’s passing.

“He was a huge help and inspiration to me when I first got involved in the Labour Party in Earlestown many years ago.

“His dedication to his community and to the people he represented was, and remains, an example to us all.

“I will miss him greatly, and my deep condolences and prayers go to his family at this very sad time.”

Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, Newton ward councillor and deputy leader of the council, said Leon was a “great man” who dedicated his life to serving his country and his community.

“It was with great sadness that I heard about the passing of Alderman Leon McGuire,” Cllr Gomez-Aspron said.

“Leon was a great man, who served both his country through his career in the Armed Forces, and his community during his 25 years as a councillor, serving as mayor and latterly being appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2015 to pay tribute to his long service and hard work.

“He always had the best interests of the borough and Newton-le-Willows at heart, with a dry sense of humour, and massive fan of Saints.

“He contributed hugely to the local Labour Party and borough council in his spare time, and so I thank him for that.

“My most sincere thoughts go to his children and family in already difficult times.”

St Helens Star: Leon McGuire was a well respected army veteran who attended Remembrance services in Newton-le-Willows until 2019Leon McGuire was a well respected army veteran who attended Remembrance services in Newton-le-Willows until 2019

Conor McGinn, Labour MP for St Helens North, said Leon was “hugely respected and highly regarded by everyone”,

“Leon’s life was dedicated to service and duty,” Mr McGinn said.

“Having served his country for almost three decades in the Armed Forces, he then represented his community in Newton-le-Willows and across St Helens as a borough councillor.

“He was hugely respected and highly regarded by everyone. An Alderman, a Labour man, a family man and a man of the people.

“All of us in St Helens North Constituency Labour Party mourn his passing and send our condolences to his loved ones.”

Cllr Allan Jones, leader of the St Helens Conservatives, called Leon a “true gentleman”.

“I knew Leon for a few years when we worked together on the council. He was a fine man,” Cllr Jones said.

“He was a typical socialist, but we still got on very well together. He had the interests of the people he represented at his heart.

“He was a true gentleman.”

Cllr Jones’ comments were echoed by Cllr Teresa Sims, leader of the Liberal Democrats on St Helens Council.

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Cllr Sims said: “l I had tremendous respect for Leon – such a gentleman, and he represented our Town with great dignity in his mayoral year.

“His honorary status of Alderman was truly deserved.”

A spokesman for St Helens Borough Council said the local authority will fly the corporate flag at half-mast on the day of Leon’s funeral, as a mark of respect.