TRIBUTES flowed at the funeral of a long-standing local councillor last week.
The hundreds of people who attended a memorial service for John Payne at St Peter's church in Newlyn heard speakers honour a man who almost cared more for others than for himself.
Mr Payne, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 63, spent years working as a benefits advocate for Penwith residents. Friends and family say he will be remembered as a stalwart of the community who strove tirelessly to help as many as 5,000 people access more than £11 million in benefits through his free service. Known as Billy Boot after a popular comic strip, the long-time councillor was also responsible for bringing Manchester United football club to play at Mousehole in 1987.
There was standing room only in the church last Wednesday, with mourners spilling out of the entrance. Members of Mousehole Football Club, his former colleagues at Penwith District Council and local residents he had helped were among those who came to pay their last respects.
Chris Goninan told funeralgoers in his eulogy: "He was a giant of a man who will be sadly missed by many thousands of people. His mission in life was to help those who were less fortunate than himself, and to be a good and proactive local councillor truly representing the wishes of the people he represented.
"People believed in him because he delivered and he gave people the support they needed and raised their quality of life."
A minute's silence was also held at a meeting of the Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commission to remember Mr Payne, who had held the post of harbour commissioner.
He leaves behind his wife, June and two sons, Jerry and Steve.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN