Family, friends, and former colleagues are mourning the loss of a tireless servant to the people of Rickmansworth.

Community stalwart Patrick Moore died aged 88 on Wednesday, October 1 after a short illness.

During his near 60-year association with the town, Mr Moore, formerly of Uxbridge Road, served both as a Liberal member on the old Rickmansworth Urban District Council and as vice chairman of the residents’ association – roles which won him many friends.

Born in Bloomsbury, he grew up in Harrow, where he attended the Salvatorian College.

His life-long career in the oil industry was interrupted only by the outbreak of the Second World War, when he served with the Army’s Royal Signals in India and Burma.

He moved to Rickmansworth in 1948 after marrying his wife Olive. The couple later had three children.

Friend and former colleague Peter Waters described an authoritative and much-admired man.

Mr Waters, currently deputy chairman of the residents’ association, said: “He was a very genial and affable chap.

“I remember him back from when I was a young boy; I remember him striding about the town with great purpose.

“He was very highly thought of in the local community.

“He loved his wife Olive dearly.

“They were always cycling about Rickmansworth – he was a great one for physical fitness; a man of great integrity and very well respected.

“He fought very hard for his community but was never rude.

“You could describe him as indefatigable - the kind of man we need more of.”

Three Rivers District Council Leader Ann Shaw said she would always be grateful for the help and support he had given her over the years.

She said: “He was a shining example to us all and encouraged people like me to get involved in politics. He was a man who I admired very much.”

Among his many notable achievements in public office – which included a stint between 1970 and 73 as district council chairman – was a memorable campaign to reject the proposed widening of his beloved Uxbridge Road – a project that would have seen the destruction of many properties along its southerly edge.

After retiring in 1980, he found plenty of time to indulge his various leisure activities, including gardening, reading, cycling and walking.

A devout catholic until the end of his life, Mr Moore worshipped for many years at the Our Lady Help of Christians Church, and latterly at St John the Evangelist Church.

He was laid to rest, next to Olive, at the Woodcock Hill Cemetery, Harefield.