Tributes paid to much-loved shopkeeper who was town's mayor three times

Cyril Webb has been hailed as a great ambassador for Felixstowe, where he grew up, ran a town centre shop and represented his community on countless organisations over the years.

Mr Webb, 84, whose funeral was held this week, ran with his wife Jean the luggage and travel goods and gift shop J&C Webb in the town centre.

Cyril and Jean Webb, when they were mayor and mayoress in 2005 launching Felixstowe in Flower (Image: Archant)

The couple had launched the shop in Hamilton Road in the early 1970s and later, in 1986, moved the business to Orwell Road. It closed in 2019 as they retired.

They had been married for more than 60 years, having known each other since they were teenagers - having met through the youth club of a local church where Jean sang in the youth choir.

Cyril Webb carrying out one of the old traditional duties of a Felixstowe mayor - bowling the first wood at a competition between Felixstowe and Suffolk Bowls Club and Waldringfield Bowls club in 2005 (Image: Archant)

Mr Webb trained as a pastry cook/confectioner at Bonnet in Felixstowe before they launched their own business.

Their great love has always been Felixstowe, where they brought up their two sons and immersed themselves in the community.

Mr Webb served on Felixstowe Town Council from 1979 to 2015, almost 36 years of unbroken service and serving as its chairman of plans for many years. He was Mayor of Felixstowe three times - the last in 2005 - with Jean accompanying him as mayoress.

Cyril Webb with the Rugby World Cup, the Webb Ellis trophy (Image: Archant)

He also served on Suffolk Coastal District Council for more than 20 years and was also chairman at one time.

He was a school governor at Orwell High, serving as chairman, and for many years sat on the committee of the Felixstowe Chamber of Trade. He also gave his support to many local charities and organisations.

Felixstowe councillor Mike Deacon said Mr Webb was a "kindly man with a warm and jocular nature" who was respected and liked by everyone.

Cyril and Jean Webb when they were mayor and mayoress in 2005 making a Christmas Day visit to some of the nursing staff at the Bartlet Hospital Felixstowe (Image: Archant)

He said: "He had the important ability to be able to listen. When he was in the chair for a meeting though he was a great stickler for observing proper protocols.

"Cyril worked very hard for our town and will be greatly missed."

Delights of mayoral duties - Cyril and Jean Webb opening the new IT suite at East Suffolk MIND's Caretaker's House in Felixstowe (Image: Archant)

Mr Deacon said Mr Webb had also been a great supporter of Felixstowe's twinning friendship with Wesel and Salzwedel.

Rev Penny Brinkley said: "Cyril was always such a great ambassador for our town. He always treated everyone the same. It was a privilege to have known him."

Mayor and mayoress of Felixstowe, Cyril and Jean Webb join Langer Primary School pupils, Alex Day, Alice Baker, Jordan Scaife and Beth Brown to unveil the mosaic at Felixstowe railway station in 2005 (Image: Archant)

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