Tributes have poured in to a respected politician and former Lord Mayor said to have had Canterbury running through his blood.

It follows the death of Harry Cragg, who was also previously leader of the city council and a Kent county councillor.

Harry died on Tuesday after a short illness, aged 85, leaving his wife of 43 years, Sheila, sons Peter and Robert, and grandsons Alex and James.

Praising his dedication to the district, the city council’s head of paid service, Tricia Marshall, says Harry’s priorities were always making sure residents were getting the best services the council could provide.

“He was the epitome of what a councillor should be and everybody knew he had Canterbury running through his blood,” she said.

“He represented the council and district with great dedication and passion, locally, nationally and internationally.”

Born in Cumbria, Harry was educated at Manchester University and was a Lord Adams Fellow at the University of Newcastle.

He moved to Canterbury in 1966 to take up employment at the University of Kent, where he was a Reader in Inorganic Chemistry, and from 1990 to 1997 the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Harry entered local politics in 1977 and was a county councillor until 1985, during which time he held many prominent roles involving education.

He later served on Canterbury City Council for 16 years from 1999, leading the authority between 2005 and 2007, and holding the position of Lord Mayor in 2009/10.

He had many other roles outside his work and council business, particularly in education and the arts, including being chairman of governors of Barton Court Grammar School and a member of the governing bodies of the Simon Langton Grammar Schools and the Archbishop’s School.

Although trained in science, Harry always had a great love of the arts and was the founding chairman of the Board of Governors of the Kent Institute of Art and Design, serving from 1986 to 2001. In recognition of his service, the Cragg Lecture Theatre was named after him.

“Harry worked incredibly hard in the community and was a very popular Lord Mayor….”

He was particularly proud of the part he played in bringing the new Marlowe Theatre to Canterbury and spoke of it as being “perhaps the most challenging, and gratifying experience”.

He was leader of the council when the architect was appointed and gained support from all political parties for the project. which has had a profound impact on the economic and cultural life of the city.

Current Lord Mayor Cllr Jean Butcher said: “Harry worked incredibly hard in the community and was a very popular Lord Mayor, attending hundreds of engagements and supporting numerous groups and organisations.

“Together with his wife, Sheila, as Lady Mayoress, they were a brilliant team and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

“It’s a very sad day and my thoughts are with his family and many friends.”