Tributes paid to ex-councillor Graham Berrett who 'worked hard to provide for his family'

A FORMER Humberside County councillor, described by his family as a "true gentleman", has died aged 91.

Graham Berrett was born in Grimsby in 1921, the youngest of two brothers.

He was educated at St James Choir School, Grimsby, before staring work in 1940 with the police, in Shrewsbury.

Shortly afterwards, he was called up to join the Royal Artillery in the Leicestershire regiment to undertake his national service.

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In 1943, he met his future wife Dacia Chivers, and they began their long life together.

Graham left the Royal Artillery in 1949 and the pair moved to Grimsby, where they opened a corner shop and chemist on Pasture Street.

It was during this time their two children, Paul and Diana, were born. Through his loyal customers, Graham became popular in the town and was soon elected onto Grimsby Borough Council.

He served on the police, education, highways and public protection committees, as well as being chairman of the housing committee, during which he saw the introduction of sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

In 1970, Graham was appointed sub-postmaster of Humberston Road Post Office, where he worked until 1998.

In 1995, he was awarded a long service certificate from the Post Office.

But Graham's commitments were many and, in 1973, he was elected to the new Humberside County Council.

With this authority, he served on the police, education and public protection committee.

He was also chairman of waste disposal, chairman of emergency planning during the Russian Cold War and chairman of a sub committee for education, where he saw religious studies introduced into all schools across Humberside.

Graham was a member of St Mark's Church, in Laceby Road, a member of the deanery synod and the Lincolnshire diocese synod.

During his retirement, Graham was awarded an honorary membership of the Lincolnshire and Grimsby sub-postmasters federation and served as president for a period of time.

In 2003, Graham became a widower following the death of his wife.

They both enjoyed nothing more than visiting their children together both in England and Germany.

Diana, the youngest child, described her dad as "a man who lived life to the full".

"He was a positive and happy man who loved meeting people," she said.

"He was of the 'old school' type, a true gentleman. He worked hard to protect and provide for his family.

"All of his experiences were shared with others where possible. He was a very outgoing man."