ACTING for the greater good of Trowbridge is what former Trowbridge Mayor Jeff Osborn will be remembered for as the town pays tribute to his dedicated and tenacious character following the news of his death on Friday.

Cllr Osborn, of Chepston Place, had been in the Royal United Hospital in Bath for a number of days before his death after being admitted last month following a fall at home.

Cllr Osborn’s wife Helen, who he married in 1967, was admitted to the Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital a few weeks before his health took a turn for the worse and is believed she is recovering from a heart operation in the RUH.

They have two daughters together, Rachel, 41 and Charlotte 35.

The news was confirmed by Trowbridge Town Council leader Bob Brice over the weekend who said: “It is very sad. He was a tenacious councillor who I persuaded to come back after he had been absent for several years.”

The 73-year-old started his political career in the 1980s as a Labour candidate running in the 1983 Somerset & Frome election. Following that defeat, he became a Liberal Democrat and eventually declared himself an Independent.

He has been a Trowbridge town councillor and West Wiltshire district councillor since 1996, and a Wiltshire county councillor since 2001.

Since then has led campaigns to save Trowbridge hospital, youth clubs and schools, and was a chairman of the hospital's League of Friends.

His most recent battle was to try to save the RUH Hopper bus used my many west Wiltshire residents including Cllr Osborn.

Wiltshire Council leader Baroness Scott said: “Jeff was an excellent local councillor and a great campaigner, and his passing marks the end of an era."

Summerdown Walk resident, Barry Jones said Cllr Osborn was a pillar of the community and stood up for was important to people particularly when it came to the Hopper.

“He was such a helpful bloke and was always available on email or phone to address any issues you had. He was always very supportive and was there for you when you needed him.

“It was such a shock to hear about his passing and I know he suffered with his health which is why he fought to save the Hopper because I know he used it when going to the hospital. It is a great loss and it will be a hard act to follow.”

Hilperton Marsh resident Janet Waring was in agreement and added: “It is very sad about Jeff’s death and wouldn't it be wonderful if even at this stage for the Hopper bus to be saved as a memorial or tribute to this man.”

Cllr Terry Chivers, who was also part of the campaign said he will treasure fond memories of their 20 year friendship.

He said: “I think he was one of a dying breed and he put Trowbridge before party politics and he did it all for the right reasons.

“He would never give up on anything particularly if he thought he was right and he wouldn’t give up on the Hopper until the very end.”

Cllr Osborn upheld the role of mayor in Trowbridge on two separate occasions and his latest project along with Trowbridge Museum was to create a Spitfire memorial in the town which manager Hannah Lyddy says she intends to carry on this project in his legacy.

She added: “We had been working with him only recently and I think what struck me was the pride he had in his community. The Spitfire Memorial project in particular had fired his imagination and he could envision the community really coming together to commemorate this proud, Trowbridge connection. We will be honoured to help see this though and have it become a reality.”

Attending numerous events representing the town council, including the Remembrance Day service, Cllr Osborn was known to keep his finger on the pulse on all the goings on in Trowbridge – something which Sharl Adabashi, Chairman of Friends of Trowbridge Park admired after knowing him since they were both school governors.

He said: “Jeff was a lion of a man and he was never afraid to express an opinion in a forthright manner, but he was also a gentle and supportive soul who would always encourage and give credit where credit is due. A lesson to all in Trowbridge who are engaged in nurturing community spirit.”

Before getting into politics, Cllr Osborn was a sociology lecturer at Trowbridge College for 24 years and prior to that he served in the Merchant Navy.

Cllr Graham Payne was one of Cllr Osborn's oldest friends in the town, first meeting when he moved to Trowbridge in the mid-1970s. He said: “Jeff was an old fashioned councillor. He did not bother with a website, Facebook or Twitter but was keen on meeting with residents and learning of their problems face to face. He presented their case fearlessly and served them loyally - he was very much a man of the people who listened and acted with the greater good of the community in mind.”

It is understood that Cllr Osborn was suffering from a number of health issues including diabetes at the time of his death.

Details of Cllr Osborn’s funeral have not yet been released.