THE family of Percy Jefferies said he lived his life to make a difference for the ordinary person.

The 88-year-old former mayor and councillor, who had suffered from a progressive illness for the last 10 years, died peacefully last Friday.

His wife of 64 years Olive, 83, of Masefield Avenue, Stratton, said: “He was for the working man and he just loved to help people.

“He was very proud of Swindon – it was his life.”

A respected socialist who served on Stratton Parish Council, the borough council and county council, Mr Jefferies was chairman of Wiltshire County Council and Swindon mayor between 1985 and 1986.

He leaves daughter Sue, 58, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Born in Highworth into a working class family, he followed in his mother’s footsteps by pursuing his passion for politics.

Mr Jefferies was offered the OBE and the freedom of the borough, but always refused those honours.

“He was very proud,” said Olive “We tried to get him to do it, but he didn’t want the pomp and ceremony.”

Starting out working on the railways as a signwriter, this was the job he returned to after six years in the army’s medical corps during the Second World War.

Mr Jefferies then worked for Pressed Steel and was heavily involved in the union.

So when the workers were on strike it was not surprising that Mr Jefferies was one of two ringleaders not taken back by the company afterwards.

And he carried on fighting people’s causes through local politics.

This was demonstrated in his 18 years as an insurance collector for United Friendly. “When he collected his insurance money, on the back would be all his complaints from the council houses,” said Mrs Jefferies.

“He was stubborn, but he just believed in the rights of people. He enjoyed the fight and they enjoyed the fight with him.”

In his year as mayor Mr Jefferies and his wife took on 830 engagements – roughly three a day “He did enjoy it because he thought he was out meeting the people and that’s what he wanted to do,” said Mrs Jefferies.

Mr Jefferies’ funeral will take place on Monday at 10.45am at the Baptist church, Green Road.