TRIBUTES have been pouring in after the death of a highly-respected former mayor of Stourbridge at the age of 98.

Geoffrey Lycett, the owner of the old Lycett’s garage until it was sold in 1970, was awarded an MBE in the 1991 Birthday Honours for his services to the people of Stourbridge after decades of public service as a councillor, magistrate and governor at King Edward VI College.

His daughter Wendy Ellwood said she had been receiving many messages from people who described her father as ‘an amazing and kind man.”

She described him as ‘indomitable.’ He had been driving up until just a year ago and had looked after his wheelchair-bound wife, Joyce, at their home in Park Road, Hagley, until earlier this year when the couple finally moved into the Coach House nursing home in Broome.

He had just celebrated his birthday in October and the couple had celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary (a second Diamond anniversary) in September.

“They were just ahead of the Queen. They married at St Thomas’ Church in 1945 and the Queen and Prince Phillip married in 47.”

Mr Lycett’s father, Percy, had started the garage in Stourbridge and Geoffrey began work there before the war after leaving King Edward’s.

He served in the Royal Navy from 1941-46 before returning to the family business as Managing Director until it was sold.

But he was also a member of the Royal Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Commander.

He was a councillor and alderman at Stourbridge, including Mayor of the town in 1970-71, was an honourary alderman of Dudley, and became a Hagley Parish councillor.

 

Stourbridge News: Remember this? The family business, shut in 1970Remember this? The family business, shut in 1970

He was a magistrate for 26 years, including the chairman of the bench for three.

He was also a governor at King Edward’s and was instrumental in its transformation to a sixth form college.

He was active in the Royal British Legion and met the Queen on several occasions, including being awarded his MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1991. He also hosted the Duke of Kent on his visit to King Edward’s in 1989.

He was a lifelong Birmingham City fan.

“He was a hugely respected person and very well liked,” said Mrs Ellwood. “He was Stourbridge through and through.

“He was very proper and respect was important to him. He had an indomitable spirit. He would still run to the Post Office. He was really well loved.”

Mr Lycett leaves a wife, Joyce (nee Flavell), two daughters, Wendy Ellwood and Penelope Perkins,four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.