A CIVIC ceremony celebrating the life of a former Southampton mayor will be held tomorrow at a city landmark he helped fund.

The current mayor, Cllr Les Harris, is inviting residents to join him at the Queen’s Peace Fountain in East Park to honour the achievements of Jack Candy.

Mr Candy, who died in January aged 95, championed the city long after stepping down as a councillor.

Cllr Harris said Mr Candy’s “exceptional contribution” to Southampton included raising money towards the cost of the fountain, completed in 2001.

He added: “Jack’s belief in the value of public parks is embodied in the fountain’s energy and sparkle, making it a particularly fitting site for remembrance and celebration.

“Jack and his wife Irene shared a strong sense of serving the community and their common values were the foundation of a long and happy marriage.

“Sadly, Irene died in 2001 and did not see the fountain project brought to completion.”

Built to celebrate more than 50 years of peace and the Queen’s service to the nation, the fountain was the scene of a peace vigil following the recent terrorist attack in Manchester.

Mr Candy was born in Swaythling in 1921 and at the age of 14 became an apprentice toolmaker at the famous Supermarine works in Woolston.

Along with hundreds of other Sotonians he helped build Spitfires.

Mr Candy later spent 20 years at IBM at Hursley after joining the company in the early 1960s.

His career as a city councillor began in 1971 when he was elected to represent Sholing. In 1986 he became the 764th mayor of Southampton, having seen his wife hold the same office two years earlier.

In 1987 Mr Candy left the Labour group on the council and served as an Independent.

He stood down from the authority the following year but continued to campaign on a raft of issues.

He was chairman of the City of Southampton Society and was also a leading member of the Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society.

Tomorrow’s ceremony is due to start at 2pm and will include a performance by the Celebration Choir, part of Southampton Choral Society.