The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Tributes have been paid to a Holbeach Hurn farmer who became the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
Tony Worth died on Thursday, November 9, after a short battle with cancer.
He has also served as the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and the founder of a memorial to Bomber Command near Lincoln.
The centre is due to open next year and will include an education facility.
“Tony was the creator and driving force behind the project which is being built to ensure that the story of Bomber Command can be preserved and told for future generations,” said a statement from the International Bomber Command Centre.
“Tony had a passion for the county and spent much of his life serving the people and institutions based here.
“From working on various boards looking at protecting the area from flooding, to chairing the Cathedral Chapter, being a Governor of the University of Lincoln to serving as County President of the Royal British Legion.
“He will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives he has touched. The team at the IBCC are more determined than ever to ensure that the project creates a lasting and fitting legacy.”
Mr Worth, who leaves a wife Jenny, four children and several grandchildren, was born into a farming family in Holbeach.
Chairman of Holbeach Parish Council Martin Howard said Mr Worth would be missed by the whole community.
“He was very much a man of the people and a man for Holbeach,” he said.
Mr Howard said Sunday’s Remembrance Service had been particularly poignant because Mr Worth would usually have attended.
“There was a lump in the throat and he was mentioned,” said Mr Howard. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his family.”
Mr Worth was High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1990 and appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the county in 2008.
A series of tributes have been left on the Facebook page for the IBCC.
“A unique and inspirational man,” said Pam Connock.
“Thank you for the wonderful job you have done for the cause of Bomber Command,” said Patricia Desmier.
