It has been announced that Ian Gillies, who was both council leader and Lord Mayor of York, has died.
Mr Gilles, who was 78, served as Lord Mayor in 2014-2015. The lifelong Conservative was leader of City of York Council in 2018.
Known for his straight-talking political style, Mr Gillies led a full and colourful life, centred around his family and York. He died on Saturday.
York Conservative Group leader Cllr Chris Steward led the tributes today, saying Mr Gillies “absolutely did everything for York”.
He told YorkMix: “I am sorry to hear of the death of Ian Gillies. I worked closely with Ian over many years in the Conservative Group at a York level and also in our ward work, where he served the communities centred around his home of Poppleton.
“He was a frank talking, opinionated man who worked hard over the years.
“But he also played hard and enjoyed life to the full including family, cricket and travel and probably rarely more than when they combined for him to travel to the Ashes in Australia.
“Ian had a varied career but given his passion for York was probably most pleased to be Lord Mayor of York, where he, alongside Pat and the sheriff and sheriff’s lady, was undoubtedly amongst the best ever to fill the role.”
Mr Gillies grew up in Tang Hall and was a policeman for 13 years, serving in swinging Chelsea in the Sixties before moving back to Yorkshire.
He spent the next two decades in the financial services industry and was successful enough to be able to retire at the age of 53.
At that time he bought a taxi and became chairman of Station Taxis in York.
He was elected to City of York Council in May 2007, serving on the Rural West ward until 2019. Mr Gillies was leader of the Conservative Group until he stood down to become Lord Mayor in 2014, when he was succeeded by Cllr Steward.
Four years later Mr Gillies took over as leader of York council after Cllr David Carr relinquished the position when he was voted out as Conservative group leader. Mr Gillies then stood down from the council at the May 2019 elections.
Democracy campaigner Gwen Swinburn paid her tribute to Cllr Gillies on X: “That’s very sad, my condolences to Ian’s family. Ian was always happy to walk over to pesky citizens and engage even if we disagreed.”
Zoe Barratt added her own tribute: “I’m sorry to hear that. A true gentleman in politics for the right reason – to help people. Condolences to his family.”
He leaves a wife, Patricia, two daughters and several grandchildren.