'I followed in his footsteps' - family's heartfelt tribute to beloved great-grandfather
“I could always phone him and he would always offer support and advice.”
The grandson of the late Councillor Ivan Taylor is organising a celebration for the man he calls his “hero” - and he says everyone will be welcome to join in.
Shortly before his death at 86 earlier this month, Ivan was confirmed as the UK’s longest serving councillor after almost 60 years’ service.
In six decades as a representative on Blackpool Council, he led the council as it became a unitary authority, oversaw the roll out of Sure Start centres, and set up the town’s first publicly run leisure centre.
Now grandson Luke, 37, is playing a key role in organising the funeral services and reception which he says will be a celebration of Ivan’s eventful life.
They will be taking place on Friday August 7, when the hearse will leave the Claremont area he served and arrive at the Salvation Army Citadel for a service at 10am.
Ivan was an adherent of the Salvation Army and would frequently attend services there for any years, as well as being a supporter of Blackpool’s Bridge Project, which helps homeless people.
From there there will be a service at Carleton Crematorium at 11.45am, followed by a reception at Blackpool Town Hall.
Like a father to me
Luke, who grew up in Blackpool but now lives in Cumbria, said: “He was my hero, if you will - my grandfather was actually more like a father to me and we were really close.
“Whether it was good or bad times, I could always phone him and he would always offer support and advice.
“When things were tough he’d say bad news was like today’s fish and chip paper - in the morning it would all be forgotten about. I can’t tell you how good it was to have his support.
“He influenced me a lot and was an incredible role model who I looked up. I ended up working at the same place, Bae in Samlesbury.
“I even became a councillor on Blackpool Council for four or five years. He advised me to think about it and told me how much of your time it took, if you wanted to do it properly. It didn’t put me off.
“I’m so glad my own son Noah, who’s 12, had time to know him.
“It was also really heartening to see the comments on Facebook after he died. There were no horrible remarks like you can often get.
“It meant a lot that people spoke so highly and warmly. As a councillor he was a man who tried his best for his community and the people seemed to appreciate that.”
He added: “I’ll be doing the eulogy myself, I’ve spent a lot of time on it. It will be emotional.
“Lynn Williams, the leader of Blackpool Council, will also be saying a few words as well. We just want to do him proud.”
The service at the Salvation Army will be led by Major Richard
Thompson, the Corps Officer, and will feature some of Ivan’s favourite hymns, songs and readings, with the Salvation Army Band in support.
Among those attending will be relatives from Stoke and Oldham, along with long-standing friends from Rimini in Italy, and plenty of his council colleagues, constituents and friends.
Luke added: “There was plenty to celebrate during Grandad’s life and that’s how we want this day to be - a celebration of him, his life and what he stood for.
"Anyone who wants to join us will be made most welcome."