Tributes are paid as popular councillor loses cancer battle
TRIBUTES have poured in for a popular councillor who served residents for nearly two decades after he lost his battle with cancer.
Tony Larkin bravely fought bowel cancer, but passed away following a relapse.
The 63-year-old grandfather, who represented Royton North, was first elected in 1996.
Coun Larkin served the ward for 18 years.
He spent four years on the council between 1996 and 2000, before being voted out of the chamber.
Coun Larkin returned three years later, serving for 14 years until his death last weekend.
Coun Larkin was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. During chemotherapy, he was also diagnosed with leukaemia.
Coun Larkin responded well to treatment for his bowel cancer, and looked likely to beat leukaemia.
Tragically, he died after his bowel cancer returned.
Coun Larkin, who passed away at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham, leaves behind wife Penny, son James, daughters Sarah and Grace, and grandson Alexander.
He spent the majority of his career as a British Gas maintenance worker, before working as a trade union shop steward.
Most recently, Coun Larkin worked as a USDAW trade union health and safety officer.
Coun Larkin’s son James, who is also a councillor in Royton North, said: “He was a real man of conviction and the strongest man I knew, or will ever know.”