LIB DEMS PAY TRIBUTE TO TERRY COONEY

5.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 11th Oct 2008

Tributes have been paid to long-serving Labour Councillor Terry Cooney, who died last month.

Terry served Blakelaw Ward and then Fenham Ward with distinction for nearly 40 years.

He died unexpectedly aged 73 following a heart operation.

For many years he worked side-by-side his wife Isabel representing Fenham. In 1989/90, Terry was Lord Mayor of Newcastle - the first citizen of the city.

During his political career he was a former chair of the city council's Personnel Committee and Development Control Committee, as well as being a member of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority for 20 years.

Councillor John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council, says: "The loss of

Terry is very sad news.

"He was a stalwart of the Labour movement and spent 36 years as a councillor in

Newcastle.

"His love of Newcastle and its people shone through and we shall miss greatly his wisdom in council debates.

"He was Lord Mayor and did an outstanding job representing the city as our first citizen."