A ‘GENEROUS and loving’ former councillor has died at the age of 78.

Robin Kenyon was a Liberal Democrat representative for South West and Whitehall wards on Darwen Borough Council for around 10 years through the 1970s and early 1980s.

During his time representing the community Mr Kenyon was active in transport issues, fighting to keep Darwen Corporation Bus Service from being privatised.

He also served as part of the parks committee and was on the sports council.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He died in a care home in Nantes, France, from a stroke, his family said.

Mr Kenyon and his wife Barbara had decided to move to the country after his retirement from being a teacher at both Darwen Technical College and St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington.

His son Tim, 49, said he had lots of memories with his ‘intelligent’ dad.

He said: “He was a caring, all-round nice man who would always be willing to go out of his way to help people.

“He was very fond of the town of Darwen where he lived most of his life.

“I could fill a book with memories. My favourite is probably when he did up an old ambulance turning it into a camper van and we went away to Scotland in it.

“It was amazing we got six of us in it and it was so much fun.

“He will be missed. He was an intelligent man who was very generous and loving.”

Mr Kenyon, who lived in Cranberry Lane while in Darwen, has left behind his two sons and three daughters, nine grandchildren, three step grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was head of religious education at St Christopher’s from 1977 until his retirement in 1993.

At that point he moved to France and while over there was a member of the expatriate community in the Nantes region.

He often preached at churches in the area and during his time in Darwen, he was a lay reader and preacher at St Barnabas Church, where a memorial service will be held for him on Saturday, February 4, at 11am.

Cllr Paul Browne, a Lib Dem town councillor and friend of Mr Kenyon said: “He never said a bad word about anyone and was a fantastic guy.

“We were very good friends.” and he was a true Liberal. I always find myself talking about him in conversations.

“He will be sorely missed.”