A WIDOW today paid tribute to her “true gentleman” of a husband whose death has saddened the Stonham communities.Tim Davies, a former chairman of Little Stonham Parish Council, died after suffering a heart attack on Monday, aged 55.

A WIDOW today paid tribute to her “true gentleman” of a husband whose death has saddened the Stonham communities.

Tim Davies, a former chairman of Little Stonham Parish Council, died after suffering a heart attack on Monday, aged 55.

The self-employed quantity surveyor, of Norwich Road, Little Stonham, was well-known in the Stonham villages.

His family are planning a celebration service in his memory where the villagers can remember him together.

His wife Andrea, who celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband this year, said: “We all miss his gentleness.

“That's the first word everyone uses when remembering him.

“So many people have said what a true gentleman he was.

“He was private but he wasn't one for big crowds at parties. He preferred small dinner parties and loved big discussions, but he always brought humour to them.

“He was a fantastic father, very involved with the boys all their lives, and I couldn't have asked for a better husband.”

Mr Davies was born and brought up in Twickenham and was father to Huw, 19, and Toby, 20, both students at Portsmouth University.

He was chairman of the parish council in Little Stonham in the mid to late 1990s.

Mrs Davies, said: “He was chairman for at least two years.

“He worked very hard trying to get the area affordable housing and was also in the chair when Stonham finally dragged itself into the 20th century and went on the main drains system. The whole village was dug up and Tim had to deal with all the flack.”

Tony Fowler, Mid Suffolk district councillor for the Stonhams, said: “He was just a super guy and a privilege to know. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone.

“He always seemed very cool and collected and never seemed to get flustered or upset.

“He was a lovely man and made an excellent chairman, guiding the parish council through some difficult times.”

The family are having a private cremation service next week and the celebration service is due to be held next year.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Davies? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.