A "legendary" councillor who had a room dedicated to him just three weeks ago has died after a long illness.
Fellow Socialist opposition councillors today joined in mourning Dave Marks, who was known as Mr Pitsea because he served his constituency so long and so well.
He was a councillor for more than 20 years and held the record at Bas-ildon Council for being chairman the longest - he served four terms.
He died at the weekend in a hospital in Buckinghamshire, where he moved after his retirement last year. He had been ill for some time.
David Abra-hall (Ind Lab, Vange) said: "A lot of people will be upset. I am absolutely devastated. Dave was a major influence on my life and those of so many others.
"When the room at Pitsea Leisure Centre was dedicated to him I said he was a legendary figure. I still think that about him and always will."
Mo Larkin (Ind Lab, Lee Chapel North) said: "When I first came on to the council Dave Marks was like my godfather. He was marvellous, so enthusiastic about everything."
Basildon's Conservative leader, Malcolm Buckley, said: "Politically Dave Marks and I never saw eye to eye but he was a longstanding servant of the people of Pitsea and was re-elected many, many times.
"He put a great deal of work into the area."
The funeral will be at 10am on Monday at the Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham.
The family requests donations to Macmillan Nurses rather than flowers.
Published Wednesday October 16, 2002
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