Tributes have been paid following the death of former Hartlepool mayor

Tributes have been paid to a former Hartlepool mayor and honorary alderman who has died at the age of 87.
Former Hartlepool mayor and honorary alderman Victor Burton who has died at the age of 87Former Hartlepool mayor and honorary alderman Victor Burton who has died at the age of 87
Former Hartlepool mayor and honorary alderman Victor Burton who has died at the age of 87

Victor Burton, a former train driver, served the town in numerous important roles over the years as a councillor.

He helped to secure major investment in Hartlepool and welcomed the Queen to town in 1993 when she opened the Teesside Development Corporation’s £165million marina and the Maritime Heritage Centre.

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Mary Fleet, whose term as Mayor of Hartlepool ends mon Thursday night, said: “Vic Burton was a lovely man and was well liked by all who knew him.

“He was an extremely conscientious councillor, very hard working and committed to the betterment of the town.

“As an Alderman he was invited every year to the town’s mayor-making ceremony and always attended. He will be sadly missed and my thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Vic was born in West Hartlepool in 1928 and went to the former Ward Jackson and Exchange School.

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He left at 14 to work as a butcher’s delivery boy before joining the railways after two years.

Vic graduated from cleaning steam engines and working as a fireman to become an engine driver in 1972 which he did for 20 years until his retirement.

He was renowned for his negotiating skills, something he put into good practice as a shop steward representing colleagues for many years.

Vic joined the council in 1979 and served on numerous committees.

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He was most influential as chairman of the Housing Direct Services Organisation Board and Contract Services board when he helped to secure many multi-million pound contracts for the council.

As a Cleveland county councillor he took a keen interest in education chairing its Further Education Committee between 1985 and 1989.

Vic became Mayor of Hartlepool in 1992 and proved to be a fine ambassador for the town.

During his year in office he and wife Violet met Princess Alexandra and presented the Queen with a copy of the Royal Charter, presented to the town 400 years earlier by Elizabeth 1.

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Vic and Violet recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They have four children and six grandchildren.

A civic funeral will be held for at 11am on Tuesday at All Saints Church, Stranton, Hartlepool, prior to cremation at Stranton Grange Crematorium.