THE former leader of a Hampshire community has died after spending much of his retirement helping to support the neighbourhood he lived in.

Grand-father-of-four Tony Hulbert, 75, died after serving as chairman of Chilworth Parish Council for 11 years.

A chartered engineer, he was general manager of a Southampton engineering firm formerly known as Morgan Matroc, formerly called Vernitron, in Thornhill, where he was in charge of a staff of 200.

He had been working there for 28 years before he retired in 1999.

Tony, pictured, who lived in Woodside, Chilworth, led the parish council, with one of his achievements being to organise the production of the village design statement, setting out where houses and development could be made across the community.

A year later, he became a parish councillor and in 2003 took on the role of chair.

He died on January 6 after suffering a short illness.

He leaves his wife Patsy, daughter Nicki, son Andrew, and four grandchildren.

Patsy said: “Tony was a generous, loving and committed family man who worked hard throughout his engineering and management career.

“Latterly he proudly and willingly represented the community in which he lived. He will be sadly missed but remembered with great fondness and respect.”

Test Valley Borough Councillor for Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams, and his colleague on the parish council, Alison Finlay, said “he was always very dependable”.

She said: “Tony was totally committed to ensuring that Chilworth retained its identity within Test Valley and was the councillor who was instrumental in setting up the team to produce the Chilworth village design statement and in leading that team.

“He had every reason to be very proud of the result though I never heard him boast about it.

“He always made new parish councillors feel at ease and led the council with assurance. He was a perfect gentleman, a most reliable colleague and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed in Chilworth.”

A private family funeral has been arranged.