A kind soul, and true Labour man
TRIBUTES have poured in for veteran North Tyneside councillor Ray Glindon who died on Tuesday following a fiveyear battle with prostate cancer.
Coun Glindon, who represented the Camperdown ward, was also the cabinet member for finance.
His wife, North Tyneside MP Mary Glindon, described him as her “perfect partner” and “confidant”.
She said: “He was my confidant, my best political assistant, my greatest support, my perfect partner. I am broken hearted.
“The world doesn’t stop when you want it to. I have got to get through this.
“He was very interested in my role. He was fixed to the parliament channel when I was away [in Westminster] and would text me and say ‘I saw you on the bench.’ He was a great support to me, he was my strength and gave me the confidence to do what I have done as a politician.”
Coun Glindon is survived by his son Mark, step-daughter Alex, and his grandchildren.
Mrs Glindon continued: “My daughter loved Ray, when she was 21, she said ‘I would never have had anyone to be my dad apart from you.’”
Coun Glindon worked right up to his death at the age of 74, and presented what would be his final budget for the authority in February.
He started working for the council as an electrician in 1974, working his way up to building manager, a role he stayed in until he retired in 2001.
Coun Glindon would then spend three years helping his beloved Labour Party campaign before being elected as councillor in 2004.
Mrs Glindon, his wife of 20 years, described him as a “true Labour man”.
She said: “He always looked to do the best for the people he served. That, for him, was a job well done.
“What you saw with Ray you got. He was honest and open, a man of few words. People who knew him knew what a kind soul he was.”
Coun Glindon was an avid Newcastle supporter, and Mrs Glindon described football and golf as his main pleasures in life.
North Tyneside Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn paid tribute to Coun Glindon describing him as “very popular” with his fellow councillors, council colleagues and residents.
She added: “Councillor Ray Glindon was a loyal and dear friend and colleague to so many of us and he will be greatly missed.
“Ray’s unwavering commitment to serving the residents, businesses and the community of North Tyneside was hugely admirable – he was very popular with elected members, council colleagues and residents alike.
“As well as being a hard-working councillor, Ray was a member of Cabinet, with responsibility for Finance and Resources – roles of which he carried out with absolute dedication and enthusiasm.
“On behalf of North Tyneside Council, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Mary Glindon MP and their family. Ray will be greatly missed.”