A MAN from Offord D Arcy who dedicated 40 years of his life to campaigning on local issues as a member of the Liberal Democrats will be remembered as a man of the people . Born in Switzerland in December 1925, Percy Meyer dedicated much of his life to p

A MAN from Offord D'Arcy who dedicated 40 years of his life to campaigning on local issues as a member of the Liberal Democrats will be remembered as 'a man of the people'.

Born in Switzerland in December 1925, Percy Meyer dedicated much of his life to politics until he died at Hinchingbrooke Hospital last month after suffering multiple organ failure.

His widow Pat said: "My husband felt very passionately about politics especially environmental issues. He took his role as a local councillor very seriously and would try to help anyone that came to him.

"I will always remember him as a very generous man who always had a smile on his face. He was a man with a big heart and was known locally as a man of the people."

Other than his passion for politics, Percy was also interested in photography, fishing travelling and eating out.

He attended Ardingly College in Sussex and was later commissioned as a captain in the Lancashire Fusiliers, serving in India in 1945.

He married June Bromley in 1947 and divorced in 1973. He married Pat in 1978. He leaves a son Richard, 57, a grandson Paul, 37, and two great-grandchildren, Theo, 16, and Hope, 10.

Richard said: "My father had such a fantastic sense of humour and a big appetite for life but politics was his first love. He was a major player in securing road-calming measures through the Offords and was active in campaigning against the siting of a new A14 flyover which he believed would be an eyesore for Offord residents."

He was a former prospective parliamentary candidate, councillor on Finchley Borough Council and became district councillor for the Offords Ward when he moved to Offord D'Arcy with Pat in 1982.

He was a member of Huntingdonshire District Council for nearly 10 years and group leader for the Liberal Democrats in Huntingdonshire and the St Neots area.

He retired in 1999 due to poor health but was made honorary president in recognition of his services to local politics.

His funeral service will take place at Buckden Methodist Church at 2pm on Monday. A burial will then take place in Offord D'Arcy.

Donations can be sent to The Offords Green Trust, 4 Rectory Leys, Offord D'Arcy, PE19 5SQ.