Tributes to Graham Whitfield from the Beacon Estate

Graham Whitfield, who did much work behind the scenes to get improvements on the Beacon Estate, has died of a suspected heart attack.

As reported on thisiscornwall.co.uk, Mr Whitfield was a founder member of the Old Hill Community Association and later became the chairman, holding this post until his death at the weekend.

He was also chairman of the Beacon Partnership, and served on the Carrick District Forum of Tenants, leading the Void team, which checked properties for re-let to ensure they were up to standard.

In his younger days he was a semi-professional football player with Port Vale. He moved to Cornwall from Stoke on Trent about 20 years ago and ran a hardware shop on Killigrew Street. He moved to the Beacon Estate when he retired.

Grenville Chappel, of the Beacon Regeneration Office, who was a close friend, said: “Graham was a background boy, he always left me to do the talking, but he was right in the thick of it. He was a quiet giant. He always had his view, stated it, but didn't try to put anyone's backs up.”

People can leave tributes to Mr Whitfield, or write about their memories of him, on a page specially dedicated to him on the Lasting Tribute memorial website.