Councillor dies suddenly

Published 4 Feb 2011 17:30 7 Comments

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WHITLEY councillor Jim Hanley has died suddenly aged 51.

Cllr Hanley collapsed at his Wood Road home in Caversham early this morning (Friday) and was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he died.

He was not known to have been unwell and is thought to have suffered a heart attack.

The Labour Party councillor, who was planning to step down at the next election after starting a new career as a social worker, has served on Reading Borough Council for twelve years and was known to be a keen badminton player.

Cllr Hanley leaves his partner, former Reading Labour Party chairwoman and borough councillor, Trish Thomas.

Labour councillor, Bet Tickner, who has served alongside Cllr Hanley for the past eight years, said: "He was such a nice guy, very helpful and very hardworking.

"He was well respected in Whitley, he served his ward very well and was known as an active councillor. We will all miss him. Everybody is in shock. He seemed a healthy, fit guy and had just started a new profession. It is totally unexpected."

A statement posted on the Labour Party's Whitley website said: "Jim was a hard working councillor and a good friend to many including the rest of the Whitley team. Our thoughts are with his family, especially Trish.

It added tomorrow's ward surgery will go ahead as planned at the Whitley Advice Shop, Northumberland Avenue, from 10.30am-noon.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 04 Feb 11

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Whitley Sam
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Feb 4, 18:06
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RIP Jim - a great councillor.

Hardworking and always helpful. Thoughts are with your family.

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valerie
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Feb 5, 01:29
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A good honest councillor nothing was too much trouble. It didn't matter who you were if you had a problem he would try to help. My heart goes out to his family. RIP jim

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Emma
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Feb 5, 07:43
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Desperately sad news. Jim was lovely to work with & absolutely committed to the party & making a difference to the people of Whitley.

He'll be much missed

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DavidJ
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Feb 6, 23:30
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I knew Jim for for many years as a scientist and friend at TRL and enjoyed many happy times whilst travelling for work. Terrific company and will be sadly missed by family and friends.

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SteveP
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Feb 7, 12:50
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I too know Jim for many years as a friend and colleague at TRL, and thouroughly enjoyed working with him. Jim will be sadly missed by everyone who has had the pleasure to meet him.

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Rosemarie nee Goss
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Feb 8, 21:42
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You were brought up in the house next to my Grandmothers in Bridgend. I have not seen you for years but the news of your death was such a shock. My mother and your mother are great friends. You are such a loss to her and to your sisters. You will be sadly missed.

To love someone you have lost and keep them in your heart means that they do not die. x

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Heelas Lass
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Feb 8, 22:26
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Very sad news that Reading has lost a dedicated councillor who freely gave his time and enthusiasm to represent people in Whitley. Jim will be very much missed. My condolences to Trish and his family.

Our local councillors all work very hard responding to many emails, letters and phone calls from residents every day, attending council meetings on most evenings and going out to meet the local people in their wards on weekends. All this on top of a 9 to 5 job that might involve commuting outof Reading and trying to find time for partners and family.

Let's appreciate them now. I hope Jim knew how highly he was regarded by his councillor colleagues and local residents but suspect that as ever they will regret not telling him when he was still with us. So don't always knock local councillors. If you think you could do better then have a go yourself.

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