FORMER Calderdale deputy Mayor Leslie Smith retired from local politics just four years ago at the age of 82.
Mr Smith and his wife, Kate, were deputy mayor and mayoress of Calderdale in 1998-99.
Mr Smith represented Rastrick from 1996 to 2000.
He was a staunch member of the Labour Party and also a member of the Co-operative party in Halifax.
Mr Smith was a former president of the General Federation of Trades Unions and a former secretary and president of Halifax and District Trades Council.
He was also chairman of the Huddersfield Region Co-operative Retail Services Ltd and served as chairman of the Post Office Advisory and Telecom Advisory Committees.
He was actively involved with the Brighouse and Rastrick branch of the Calderdale Pensioners' Association.
Former Brighouse Labour councillor Ann Martin said: "He was still actively involved with the Labour party and had recently supported me by delivering leaflets.
"He gave his support where he could."
Mr Smith's funeral was taking place today at the Chapel of Repose in Halifax.
He leaves his wife Kate, sons Melvyn and Alwyn, step-children Susan, Denise and Johnny, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren
