Express & Star comment: Elias left this world undefeated

The serving Mayor, who died last month following a long illness, was laid to rest at a ceremony that was attended by hundreds and witnessed by many more from afar.

Seeing the piazza outside St Peter’s Church packed while an impeccably observed minute’s silence took place tells us all we need to know about the depth of feeling towards Mr Mattu from the city.

You only have to look at some of the tributes that have been bestowed upon him to see the impact he had on the Black Country.

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He is described as ‘loyal, courteous and wise’; ‘a great man’; ‘a people’s champion’, and ‘one of life’s charmers’.

Mr Mattu is remembered as ‘an irreplaceable diamond’, who was always there to help and support. He brought communities together in a way that few others could.

His loving family’s pride shone through during a series of quite beautiful, heartfelt eulogies at St Peter’s Church.

Daughter Jessica described him as ‘my heart, my protector, my dad’, while his son, Ishmael, said: “You were the best dad who became my best friend as I grew into an adult.”

At just 59, he was far too young to leave us.

There will always be the feeling that this talented and hardworking man had so much more to give to the city.

His efforts as a public servant will live long in the memory.

Many will not forget his work in helping to save the city’s main swimming baths. He was also the driving force behind the popular community hubs that we now have in Wolverhampton.

But he was far more than a politician.

Mr Mattu was a sportsman of some repute, and was rightly proud to have coached a number of power-lifting champions.

We salute his loving family.

They will be able to cherish their fond memories of a truly great man they were able to know.

In many ways, Mr Mattu was a true champion. He gave everything to this city, and Wolverhampton loved him for it.

As his brother, the Rev Ashok Masih Mattu put it, although he was taken by illness, Elias Mattu left this world undefeated.