WELL-known local businessman and former mayor of Ipswich, George Pipe, has died aged 97.Mr Pipe was mayor of Ipswich in 1958-59 having been elected to the council originally in 1938 as a councillor for the St Johns Ward.

WELL-known local businessman and former mayor of Ipswich, George Pipe, has died aged 97.

Mr Pipe was mayor of Ipswich in 1958-59 having been elected to the council originally in 1938 as a councillor for the St Johns Ward.

He became an Alderman in 1955. After the reorganisation in 1974, Mr Pipe was elected to Suffolk County Council, and also served on the Suffolk Police Authority.

As a member of the Ipswich Electricity Supply and Transport Committee he was involved, prior to nationalisation, in the development of the Ipswich Power Station. Subsequently he was appointed a member of the Eastern Electricity Board.

Mr Pipe was chairman and managing director of Wrinch and Sons, manufacturers of wooden furniture products. In 1940, following in his father's footsteps, he was appointed to the board of Eastern Counties Building Society, now part of the Britannia Building Society and after 40 years of service he retired from the board in 1980. He was also a local director of the Eagle Star Insurance Company. In addition he oversaw the management of the family farming interests.

Mr Pipe became a JP in 1959 and served as a bench chairman for many years. He was also one of the first civilian Deputy Lieutenants appointed in Suffolk.

Educated at Ipswich School he became a governor in 1940, and Chairman of the Governors from 1971 until he retired in 1978.

During his year as Mayor, Mr Pipe came into contact with many voluntary organisations. As a result of this he became involved with the local branch of the Save the Children Fund, and was subsequently chairman for many years.

In his younger days Mr Pipe enjoyed cricket and tennis, but in later years he became a keen golfer, and on one occasion had the privilege of playing in a Pro/Am tournament at Wentworth. He was President of Ipswich Golf Club in 1969-70. He was a keen gardener and became Chairman of the Ipswich Horticultural Society. He himself competed for many years exhibiting a wide range of flowers and vegetables with considerable success.

George Pipe married Audrey Damant in 1936; they enjoyed 58 years together. He leaves two children, Julia and William, and four grandchildren Thomas, Oliver, David and Georgina.

There will be a service to celebrate his life at St. Martin's Church, Tuddenham tomorrow at 2:30pm.