Tributes to ‘tower of strength’ David Lukes
COLLEAGUES and friends this week paid tribute to campaigner and Labour Party stalwart David Lukes who died after a short battle with cancer.
Mr Lukes, 69, of Dunvegan Way, Putnoe, worked as a planning officer for Bedfordshire County Council, his funeral was held at Norse Road, Crematorium on Monday.
As well as campaigning for Labour Party candidates in and around Bedford, Mr Lukes recently stood at the last Bedford Borough Council elections in May 2011 to be councillor for the Putnoe ward.
In the early 1980s Mr Lukes was also heavily involved in campaigns against nuclear missiles being places at Mouldsworth and Greenham and was a member of Bedfordshire Against Nuclear Dumping (BAND).
Former MP for Bedford and Kempston, Patrick Hall, said: “Dave was a tower of strength in all he did, a truly remarkable human being.
“He combined his passionate belief in social justice with genuine kindness and consideration for others.
“A serious thinker about politics, he also put his beliefs into action like nobody I have known. It was an honour to have known and worked with him for many years; I will miss him terribly.”
Besides his political involvement Mr Lukes was a keen cycling and enjoyed rugby. He leaves behind his wife Nicky and daughters Christine and Kate.
His good friend Rob Wall, who read a tribute at the funeral service, said: “David has strong ideas about the type of world he would like and he was prepared to do whatever he could.”
Anthony Forth, secretary of the Goldington and Putnoe Labour Party paid tribute to Mr Lukes on behalf of the group.
He said: “It is barely more than six months since Dave was out campaigning with us in the borough elections, where he made an invaluable contribution to a great result.
“It was only in October that, despite his illness, he wanted to try and find ways to help.
“He was extremely active, leading cycle rides for clubs in Bedford. To see cancer claim him so fast just shows what a random and unfair illness it is.
“Most of all, so many people have lost a good friend and his family have lost so much more. He will be missed.”
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 27 May 2012
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