Tributes have been paid to a former Bolton Mayor who has died at the age of 100.
Eric Johnson was Mayor of Bolton from 1996 to 1997, and Mayor of Blackrod twice, from 1988-89, and 1993-94.
He came to Horwich in 1977 from St Helens to work at the former Horwich Loco Works.
Mr Johnson who was married to Josephine Ida Johnson, she was Mayoress and was Mayor of Blackrod 1984-85, 1994-95.
The couple had three daughters Maureen, Pauline and Susan and eight grandchildren.
On the occassion of his 100th birthday, The Bolton News spoke to Mr Johnson who said his proudest moment when as mayor he met the Queen, at a reception that was held to open a new swimming baths.
Mr Johnson became a Labour councillor in 1979 and was chairman of the environment and consumer sub committee.
He retired in 2000, at the age of 78, and was sorry to leave the council having told The Bolton News he liked "lashing into the opposition".
Mr Johnson was known to many councillors for being a fiery orator.
Mr Johnson took early retirement after the Loco Works closed in 1983, having worked in the railway industry for 47 years.
He served in the RAF during the Second World War but transferred to the army towards end of war.
The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “Everyone at Bolton Council is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alderman Eric Johnson.
“He served the people of Blackrod as a councillor for many years, including a year as Mayor of Bolton from 1996 until 1997.
“He became an Honorary Alderman in 2000 as recognition of his hard work and dedication.
“As a mark of respect, the town hall flag will fly at half-mast.”
Paying tribute to Mr Johnson, Cllr Madeline Murray said: “Eric will be sadly missed by Blackrod community who he represented but also by his Labour party colleagues.
“He was a very humble man but straight talking.
“My lasting memories of him are him berating the opposition councillors and waving his newspaper at them to emphasise his point.
“Loyalty is in short supply in modern politics.”
Read more: Happy 100th birthday to former Bolton Mayor Eric Johnson
Paying tribute to Mr Johnson, Cllr Nicholas Peel said: “Sad to hear the news of the passing of Alderman Eric Johnson, at the wonderful age of 100.
“Eric was a well-liked and respected councillor in Blackrod from 1979 to 2000, including serving as mayor of Bolton from 1996-1997.
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“I never served with Eric but the stories that I’ve heard about Eric over the years are always worth listening to.
“He was always a passionate man and was quite famous for waving around a copy of the Daily Mirror in the council chamber at the conservatives and saying his famous line ‘it says in here…’ and then he would deliver his attack and he was very famous for that and brought a smile to councillors from all parties.
“Thank you, Eric, for your service and commitment to your constituents and the borough of Bolton.”
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