ONE of Tavistock?s most prominent and well-known residents has lost his brave battle against a rare form of cancer.

Robin Fenner, former town mayor and West Devon Borough councillor, auctioneer, and chairman of Tavistock Football Club, died at St Luke?s Hospice in Plymouth last Friday. He was 63.

Mr Fenner was mayor of Tavistock in 1985. This year?s mayor, Cllr Jenny Metcalf, said: ?Robin was a very kind, nice man who did so much for the young people of the town. He was very distinctive, very supportive of all the different things he was involved in and he had a great sense of humour.

?My deepest sympathies go to Sheila and the family ? he will be very sadly missed.?

Cllr Ted Sherrell, a town councillor at the same time as Mr Fenner, said: ?The community, civic, sporting and business life of this town, indeed, West Devon, has been greatly enriched by the presence of Robin during the last 30 years.

?He was a man of enthusiasm, ideas, innovation and boundless energy who always led by example. His contribution to the many organisations with which he was involved was immense and positive.

?He was delightful, ever upbeat and his final illness was faced with inherent courage. A unique man; we are much the poorer for his passing.?

Mr Fenner, who for many years ran the acclaimed Stannary Gallery on Drake Road, was chairman of the Mary Budding Trust, a charity formally launched last summer to help young children with special needs in West Devon. The trust was Mr Fenner?s brainchild, borne of experience gained as a long-standing former chairman of Mencap in Tavistock.

Tony Waites, former headteacher at Tavistock Primary School and trustee of the new charity, said: ?What I found so wonderful about Robin was his tremendous vision and determination to see that vision through.

?He was a great man and the courage he showed at the end when he was in so much pain was awe-inspiring ? he was an example to everyone.?

Ann McDonald, secretary of Tavistock Mencap when Mr Fenner was chairman, said: ?Robin was absolutely amazing and worked hard and tirelessly for those who had disabilities.

?His enthusiasm knew no bounds ? he was fundraising right up until the end and his contacts were amazing. He did so much to raise the profile of Mencap ? and of Tavistock ? and did it so well, in his own inimitable way.?

A sports enthusiast, Mr Fenner was involved with Tavistock Football Club for many years and was its chairman for the last five. Last Saturday?s game between the Lambs and Elburton Villa was cancelled as a mark of respect to the club?s charismatic helmsman.

Club vice-chairman Derek Pethick said: ?Robin has been so good to the club. His enthusiasm spread to everyone ? he is going to be very, very difficult to replace, he was such a fantastic guy.

?Our sympathies go to Sheila and the family ? our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.?

A minute?s silence was held at the club?s committee meeting on Monday ? there will be a similar period of reflection before the start of this Saturday?s game.

Craig Smith, first team manager, said: ?When I took on the team, I did it really because of Robin. He came back as chairman at the same time, so we have been working together for the last five years.

?He will be massively missed. He was always there for the games, he was very hands-on ? he really was a driving force. I?ve lost a very good friend as well as a chairman.?

His widow, Sheila, this week said: ?We are so proud of Robin, he fought long and hard and we shall miss him so much, but at the same time, are glad he is no longer suffering.

?We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received and realise how much he meant to the people of Tavistock.?

Mr Fenner?s funeral will be held in St Eustachius Church, Tavistock, next Tuesday at noon.