STAUNCH Labour supporter Gerald Harkin was born into a political family.
He was born and bred in Batley and his grandfather was a councillor in the town.
And it was one of the proudest moments of his life when he attended the ceremony in Huddersfield Town Hall when his wife, Clr Mary Harkin, became Mayor of Kirklees in June this year.
Such was his determination to support his wife and take his place as mayor's consort that he put off major surgery for a week so he could be at her side.
Gerald Harkin died in Dewsbury District General Hospital on Saturday, after battling cancer for several months. He was 66.
He was a retired engineer and a keen aviation enthusiast, having served in the Royal Air Force during the 1960s.
His passion for aircraft was something he shared with his son, Andrew.
The couple also had a daughter, Julie, and two grandchildren.
One of Clr Harkin's closest friends, fellow councillor Molly Walton said: "Gerald had a lovely day at the mayor- making ceremony. At least he had that day.
"He had enjoyed his year tremendously when Mary was deputy mayor and it is a tragedy it had to end this way."
Paying tribute to the devoted couple, Clr Walton said: "Mary was the politician in the family, but this gave them time when they could share something together that was born out of political life."
The funeral will be at Dewsbury crematorium at 2pm on Friday.
