Tributes paid to dedicated former mayor
Gosport Borough Council's Leader has paid tribute to Dennis Wright, an Honorary Freeman and former mayor who sadly died recently.
Honorary Freeman Dennis dedicated his life to the people of Gosport after working as a councillor for the Borough Council for a total of 33 years. He was first elected in 1970, where he represented Brockhurst Ward for 13 years before standing down to spend more time with his young family.
In 1998, he returned to the council and was elected councillor for Bridgemary Ward, where he spent two decades serving Bridgemary South and Bridgemary North, before retiring in 2018.
He was Mayor of the Borough with his late wife Jill as Mayoress, who herself served as a councillor for 17 years, and he also worked as a Hampshire County Councillor for the Bridgemary Division between 2001 and 2009.
Dennis supported his community further as a local magistrate for 33 years and a chairman of the governors at Foxbury Special School prior to its closure, as well as being a governor at Brune Park School.
Gosport Borough Council leader Cllr Zoe Huggins said:"Dennis devoted his whole life to serving Gosport and its people with distinction, as a Councillor, in his profession and also in his extensive volunteering work helping others.
"His true dedication to the Borough saw him appointed an Honorary Freeman, the highest civic honour the council can bestow, and reflecting the immense esteem in which he was held.”
As well as his extensive council work, Dennis was passionate about volunteering and was part of the God's Port Housing Society team for over 30 years. Following his retirement, he volunteered at the Fareham and Gosport Food Bank.
Dennis lived his whole life in Gosport and in recognition of his outstanding service to the area and its residents, he was appointed an Honorary Freeman of the Borough in 2018.
Cllr Huggins added: "On behalf Gosport Borough Council, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy of service to our borough will never be forgotten."