FAMILY, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a "true gentleman" who was "kind, generous and eager to help anyone."

Cllr Pete Prendergast, chairman of Denbighshire County Council for 2023 / 2024, died suddenly on Friday, September 22. His family said they were "deeply saddened and would miss Pete dearly".

Cllr Prendergast represented Rhyl's Cefndy ward and Rhyl Pendyffryn on Rhyl Town Council. He was also a county councillor for Rhyl South West.

Cllr Diane King, fellow councillor and cllr Prendergast's dear friend, said: "Pete was successful in all that he achieved. He has been a local Rhyl Town councillor for 11 years and served his community with pride. As a county councillor he was pleased to be voted in as Chair of Denbighshire County Council this year where he was raising funds for his charity the Women's Centre in Rhyl.

"He was very proud to be elected as Chair of Denbighshire Leisure where he worked tirelessly and diligently striving to achieve many projects for the betterment of Rhyl.

"Pete was my consort during my time as mayor of Rhyl and has been my rock and mentor over the last six years He was my best friend, and also a friend to anyone who was fortunate to have known him, a true gentleman, eager to help anyone. He was generous and loved and respected by all who knew him.

"It’s been a huge privilege to have been a small but significant part of his life and I will miss him greatly. I am truly bereft.

"My sincere condolences go to Paul and Colleen and all his family and friends of which he has so many."

Cllr Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones said: "Peter and I first became friends in 1981 when we worked together in the operating theatres at Glan Clwyd Hospital. Peter was the kindest caring person and loved by everyone who met him. He was a wonderful councillor with a genuine agenda to improve the lives of the community, continuing the same dedicated care and commitment as he did within the health service.

"It is so sad to lose such a wonderful person too early in his life. I will really miss his friendship as will so many. Rest in piece Peter God bless you. Condolences to all your family and friends with love."

Cllr Mark Young described cllr Prendergast someone who was "great to talk to".

"He was very helpful," he said.

"He was someone you could talk to about difficult issues on council that were happening and his thoughts and advice were valuable to me and others. His friendship and helpfulness will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Cllr Barry Mellor said: "Pete will be sorely missed not only by his many friends he had but by both Denbighshire County Council and Rhyl Town Councils, all of his residents in Rhyl who he worked so hard for on their behalf.

"I hope it gives some sort of comfort to his family and friends knowing how well thought of Pete was."

Cllr Joan Butterfield said cllr Prendergast will be missed by county and town colleagues and also by the residents on South West Ward.

"He worked so hard for them," she said.

"Peter was a good and kind man and such a hard worker. He will be sorely missed.

"I think we should also think of his family at this time of loss and send them our sincerely felt condolences.

"God rest your soul dear Peter."

Councillor Prendergast served as chair of the council for the 2017 - 2018 municipal year and was re-elected as chair in May of this year.

He had been vice chair the previous year and had served as a county councillor since March 2015.

He had represented the people of Rhyl's Cefndy Ward for more than 11 years. During that time, he held a number of key positions within the town council's working committees.

Denbighshire County Council said they were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of the chair of the council.

Cllr Jason McLellan, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of Pete’s passing. He was such a kind and well-respected member of the council and extremely well thought of by everyone who met him and worked alongside him.

“I know Pete really loved getting behind his local community to help out where he could in his role as a councillor, he always helped with such kindness, compassion and care. Pete gave such positive support for Rhyl residents in his role, supporting many community groups and I know he really enjoyed doing more for groups across the county when he became our chairman early this year.

“On behalf of the council and Pete’s colleagues, we will miss him very much and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time.”

In a statement, Rhyl Town Council said: "It is with huge sadness and shock that we announce the sudden passing of Councillor Pete Prendergast.

"Pete has represented the people of Rhyl's Cefndy Ward for over 11 years and has held a number of key positions within the Town Council's many working committees.

"He was a dedicated and passionate councillor who gave his time willingly to so many projects both out of and within the council chamber, often being very much one of the driving forces. Pete was a caring and hard-working man who wanted to get things done for the benefit of his residents and for his fellow town councillors and for a town and town council that he loved.

RELATED STORIES

"Pete will be missed by us all and our love and condolences go to his family and friends."

Cllr Prendergast was RNLI Rhyl's vice chair.

In a statement, Rhyl Lifeboat said: "Since he began in the role, he was totally dedicated to helping raise funds for the charity by using his vast local contacts and goodwill in organising events for the station.

"Pete was an instrumental player with his involvement in the Rhyl Lifeboat Appeal which locally raised over £180,000 towards our current Shannon Class All-Weather Lifeboat.

"Pete was also a long serving town and county councillor, where he always worked hard to support his community.

"Everyone at RNLI Rhyl will remember Pete for his great enthusiasm and always doing his work with a smile.

"Our thoughts are with Pete's family and friends."

Cllr Prendergast's long term partner Bill Tasker died in June 2020 after a short illness. Mr Tasker was elected to Rhyl Town Council in May 2008 and served for nine years.