TRIBUTES have been paid to a well loved and highly regarded councillor who served Halstead for more than 25 years. 

County Councillor for Halstead Joe Pike passed away yesterday aged 87.  

Cllr Pike was one of the longest serving Councillors on Essex County Council, devoting 39 years to public service. 

He was first elected to Essex County Council in 1977 for the division of Benfleet, where he served until 1985. 

In 1989 he was elected for his new home area of Halstead, where he served until his death. 

One of his most important achievements was agreeing a flood elevation plan for Halstead, while he spent years fighting in favour of a Halstead bypass and restoring Portway Bridge. 

In 2012 Cllr Pike was awarded the MBE for services to local government, and tributes have flooded in for the kind-hearted councillor who always put the needs of the local community first. 

Cllr Pike's daughter, Beverly Egan, said: "He lived a full life, and did so much for people.

"I have been going through his files, and the amount of letters of thanks we have from over the years show how many people he affected. 

"I am actually a little shocked by the sheer amount of people he affected throughout the whole of the county. 

"Everyone has stories about Dad and we are very fortunate that we were raised in such a loving environment. 

"He always told us to put other people first, and he lived his life that way. 

"The values he instilled in us are a great tribute to the kind of man he is. 

"Even in the care home over the last few weeks he would hold almost a mini-surgery where he would listen to the other resident's problems, he was still putting others first. 

"He truly was a family man, and he kept the whole family close, no matter how far away he was. 

"He loved being around people and always has been such a people person, even in his final days he was cheeky with the nurses, they even mentioned his smiling eyes."

Cllr Pike married his wife, Beryl, on April 8, 1950 and they stayed married until she passed away in 2000. 

He was father to three daughters, Beverly, Joanna Carter and Mary Jo Lee. 

Cllr Pike was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. 

Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council said: “Joe always had a kind word for all members, whatever our political parties but especially for younger councillors who were new to County Hall. 

"You see, Joe, was the kind of man that believed that the role of a County Councillor was one to be respected but that respect was to be earned, not automatic. 

"He treated everyone as equals and even when he was making a political point - it was always done with courtesy.

“Joe was an outstanding Chairman and he brought his gentle manner to the job, extending his warm Essex Arms publican hospitality to the whole county. He loved the job and the people of Essex loved him.

“He was genuinely honoured to have been awarded the MBE in 2012 for services to local government and his reaction at the time - in his words:-

"I have been a councillor for many years and have always done it for my devotion to people and to try and do my best for the people I represent. I am not looking for praise, but it’s lovely when you get it.”

Due to elections being held in May next year, no by-election will take place to replace Cllr Pike.