Wandsworth's council leader has remembered a 'dedicated and popular' former mayor who died after a long illness.

Ravi Govindia paid tribute to John Garrett, a long-serving Wandsworth councillor and honorary alderman, who died on Saturday, July 26.

Coun Garrett served as a councillor in Wandsworth for 20 years, between 1982 and 2002, and served two terms as Mayor.

Born in Battersea, after completing his national service he joined his family’s Balham-based construction firm which was first set-up in 1880.

He played an active role as Wandsworth’s representative on the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority and was chairman of the trustees of the Clapham Rail Disaster Fund.

He was also a member of the Battersea branch of the Royal British Legion and a former Governor of Earlsfield primary school.

In 2002 he stood down as a Wandsworth Councillor and moved to Surrey where he was elected for councillor in Guildford.

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Councillor Govindia said: "John Garrett was a hugely popular, hard working and dedicated public servant who devoted his life to helping others. 

"He also ran a very successful local construction firm and there are many buildings in the borough that he helped build and improve over many years. This was just one of the many ways in which he left his mark on Wandsworth. 

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Marion and their family. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him."

Coun Garrett was a leading fundraiser and supporter of many charities and local voluntary organisations, including President of St John Ambulance, Wandsworth and Southfields Division, a governor of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, twice President of Balham Rotary club and honorary member of the Tooting Rotary Club.