TRIBUTES have been paid to a former president of the St Albans Chamber of Commerce who died last week.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former president of the St Albans Chamber of Commerce who died this week.

Philip Gillmor, 77, who was in the role from 2001 to 2004 and a director thereafter, lost his battle with a long illness on Tuesday morning.

He first joined the chamber 20 years ago as a member of the Chamber of Commerce with his printing company Penna Press.

Another past president Michael Weaver said: “It would not be an exaggeration to say that in the history of our Chamber which dates back over 100 years, as president he did more than anyone before him to establish the reputation and importance of the Chamber in the local community.

“He always wore his chain of office with great pride and earned the respect of all groups, societies and commercial bodies he met.

“One of the legacies he leaves us with is very strong links with the district council and the representation that both small and big business now have in council decision taking.”

Among his achievements, Mr Gillmor, who leaves behind wife Gillian and children, represented the Chamber in the promotion of Butterfly World and chaired the Local Strategic Partnership alongside the district council leader.

He had many other interests in the community and was passionate in his support for the Company of Ten, the Abbey Theatre and St Albans Abbey.

Mr Weaver continued: “His dedication and commitment to everything he undertook was a true example to us all. Although his health deteriorated after stepping down as president, his loyalty to the Chamber never diminished at all and he continued to work as a director harder than ever.”

He added: “Our Chamber can be truly proud of a very courteous and gentle man who worked so hard on all our behalves. We have lost one of our greatest friends.”

A celebration of Mr Gillmor’s life will be held in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey on Wednesday September 15 at 1.30pm. The family have requested no black to be worn and donations only to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research or online at www.justgiving.com/philip-gillmor.