Tributes to former Mayor of Stafford Stan Highfield
A former Mayor of Stafford and RAF serviceman has died at the age of 86.
Stan Highfield, who was a councillor on Stafford Borough Council for 16 years until 2015, died on Friday morning.
Born in Wednesbury in 1930, Mr Highfield served in the RAF during his National Service. At 21 he entered the iron and foundry industry, where he spent his working life. In the 1970s he was made a Fellow of the Institute of British Foundrymen.
He started his political career in 1989 serving with Swynnerton Parish Council. And 10 years later he was elected to the borough council to represent the Swynnerton ward.
During his 16-year stint he served as Cabinet member for environment and health and was also chair of the planning committee. Arguably his most distinguished role was serving as town mayor in 2011 and 2012. He stepped down last year.
Council leader Patrick Farrington paid tribute to Mr Highfield and said: "Stan was one of the councillors who helped me out and took me under his wing a bit when I joined in 2003.
"He always asked about the children, saying 'family should always come first' and he was the group chairman when I was voted in as leader. I will miss his wise advice a lot and he was a genuinely great man.
"I am so sad he has gone. I am so pleased we were able to recognise his contribution to our borough before he passed away."
Fellow borough councillor William Kemp said: "It is very sad news. I know he had been ill for a while. He was such a nice man and a good friend."
Mr Highfield had been a class one football referee. His wife Doreen died in 1994 and he had one daughter, Mary.
