TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a former Bournemouth Mayor who has died at the age of 93.

Dan Crone, a past President of Bournemouth & District Probus Club, served as mayor from May 1986 until May 1987.

Born in Cumbria in 1918, he attended Borough Road Teacher Training College and qualified as a teacher in 1939.

Mr Crone served as a sergeant in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the war and became headmaster of Bournemouth’s Summerbee Secondary School in 1966, retiring from teaching in 1978.

He joined the council in 1979, representing the Strouden Park ward until 1996 and penning a report every day during his mayoralty.

A governor of Townsend primary school, Mr Crone was a council representative on the University of Southampton Council and the Western Orchestral Society Board as well as vice chairman of the South Western Council for Sport and Recreation.

Former Mayor Harry Bostock, who served on the local authority with Mr Crone, described him as “the perfect gentleman”.

He added: “Dan’s manners were impeccable. He was of the old school and very helpful and knowledgeable. Dan always had something worthwhile to contribute to a conversation and I really enjoyed his company. He will be sadly missed.”

Bournemouth and District Probus Club spokesman Erik Johnson told the Daily Echo: “Dan was a true gentleman.

“When I joined the club he was very kind to me.

“We were very proud to have three former mayors as members. It is very sad to have lost one of them.”

The mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Chris Rochester, said: “Dan was a lovely chap and a well-respected councillor who looked after me during my early career on the council. I send my sincere condolences to his family, and will be making a formal tribute to Dan at the next full council meeting.”

Mr Crone and his wife Marie lived at Mount Pleasant Drive.

A funeral will be held on February 16 at St Barnabas Church, Mount Pleasant Drive.