A former Bushey councillor and Hertsmere mayor has died, the borough council has announced.

Yesterday (February 28) the local authority posted on X that it was “very saddened” by the death of Carey Keates, adding that tributes would be paid at the full council meeting that night.

He served as a borough councillor in Bushey for many years, after first joining the council in 1990, and as mayor in 2014-2015. The Conservative retired from the council in 2019.

“We're very saddened to hear of the passing of the former Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Carey Keates,” a message from the council said.

“Our thoughts are, of course, with his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Keates was bought up in Nyeri, Kenya, and worked numerous jobs including for London gun maker Holland and Holland and selling double glazing in the area.

Upon seeing an advert to become an estate agent in the Watford Observer, Cllr Keates took up the role and became manager after six months before founding his own estate agents business in Bushey.

Making the announcements by the mayor for the meeting last night, Mayor Chris Myers said that it was with “sadness” that he informed those present of the news.

He then invited colleagues to share a few words in memory of Carey Keates.

Bushey councillor Seamus Quilty praised his “full life” and involvement in community organisations. He also raised the remarkable story of how a young Keates had served as a marksman protecting actors for the 1966 film Born Free.

Councillor Morris Bright described Keates as a “very experienced and very helpful councillor” who was a “great mentor” to newer councillors.

His involvement in community organisations including the Bushey Forum, Bushey Museum, Mencap, and Kidney Research UK was a point particularly praised, including by Cllr Jeremy Newmark.

Cllr Paul Richards focussed on the former mayor’s dedicated work with Bushey Museum and how “anyone could tell that he took immense pleasure in his role as one of the custodians of Bushey’s hidden gems”.

After councillors spoke and shared their memories of their former colleague, the council stood for a moment of reflection.