Tributes paid to 'first-class councillor and first-class man' Ray Tovey
Tributes from family, friends and colleagues have poured in for a Westcountry councillor after his death from a brain tumour aged 65.
Ray Tovey, Cornwall councillor for Gwinear-Gwithian and St Erth, died at St Julia's Hospice in Hayle on Saturday morning, nine months after his illness was diagnosed in December.
Mr Tovey, who had to stand down from his Cabinet position as portfolio-holder for localism and devolution earlier this year, was elected to the council in 2009.
He had previously been a long-serving chairman of Gwinear-Gwithian parish council, a Penwith district councillor and a Newlyn harbour commissioner.
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His daughter Hannah Eustice said her father bore his illness with courage.
"He was just so brave about the whole thing," she said.
"I don't think he complained once. Up until the last two weeks or so he was out every single day in his wheelchair for a walk with mum. He just kept going; he wanted to see us all and he realised the importance of it all."
After his diagnosis Mr Tovey underwent an operation at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, and further treatment at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
He is survived by his wife Jenny, their daughters, Hannah and Rachel Murray, and grandchildren Jake, 8, Alfie, 6, Flora, 4, and three-year-old Scarlett.
Ray Tovey was born in Hayes, Middlesex, and grew up in Somerset, where his family were coal merchants. He met Jenny at Somerset College of Art in Taunton, and worked in London at the Pemberton Advertising Agency, in Baker Street, before returning to Somerset as a freelance graphic designer.
The couple moved to Cornwall when Mr Tovey got a job at Falmouth School of Art as a lecturer in graphic design.
He was later promoted to head of graphic design and then seconded to BTEC and Edexcel as a moderator.
Mrs Tovey said: "He took early retirement at 55 and went travelling with me. A lot of it was done on a motorbike and sidecar.
"He built his own camper van and fitted it out himself.
"After a number of years travelling he came home and got involved in local government."
Outside work he enjoyed water sports and was a keen motorcyclist.
Mrs Eustice said: "He was one of the first surfers down at Godrevy.
"That was a massive part of his life: surfing, canoeing with friends, and he had a surf ski."
St Erth parish clerk Peter Rylett met him through surfing before they worked together.
"I shall really miss working with him, his intellect and great sense of humour, and feel great sadness over the loss of a good friend," said Mr Rylett.
Cornwall Council leader Alec Robertson said: "Ray was a first-class councillor and a first-class man.
"The dignity, courage and positivity with which he faced his terminal illness were the qualities we all associated with Ray in his working life."
The funeral is at Gwinear Church on Tuesday at 11am. All are welcome, and no formal mourning attire is requested.
Donations may be made to Cornwall Hospice Care – St Julia's Hospice.
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