The family of a former Marlow mayor who died last month aged 88 have paid tribute to him, calling him “modest, caring and resilient”.

Frank Sweatman was mayor from 2003 to 2004 and served as a town councillor from 1997 until 2011, and died on May 23, with his funeral taking place earlier this month.

During his year as mayor, he started the annual charity golf day for the first time in 2004, raising more than £7,000 for the Thames and Chiltern Air Ambulance Service, and was presented with a long service award in 2011.

Daughter Joanne Smith said his family were “immensely” proud of what Mr Sweatman achieved and the “difference that he made to people’s lives, not just here in Marlow”.

She said: “One of our early memories is of his ‘Mercy Mission’ with Marlow Round Table to deliver a caravan to earthquake victims in Yugoslavia.

“It was a great act of kindness yet, no doubt a lot of fun and the source of many stories for years to come.”

Speaking about what he was like as a father, Mrs Smith said he gave all his time and support “unconditionally” to his family, as well as to local causes.

She said: “He was a very loving and proud father, generous with his time and supportive of our interests – whether that was running mini-rugby tournaments to fuel [his older son] Jonathan’s sporting ambitions at Marlow RFC, sitting in the front row at a Burford School Soiree as I sang a Noel Coward solo or sound-proofing his youngest son Andy’s bedroom so he could practice the drums at all hours of the day and night.

“Like any parent he wanted the best for his family and like many teenagers, we didn't always agree with his views or appreciate his tendency to resort to laughter or humour to avoid conflict.

“[He] was a modest, caring and resilient person, but above all generous.

“He gave us all the freedom to be the people we became and pursue our own goals, without standing in our way or telling us what we should or should not do.”

Mr Sweatman also served as a Wycombe district councillor for 31 years and was a county councillor from 1977 to 2009.

A host of Marlow councillors and dignitaries followed Mr Sweatman’s hearse as it made its way up the High Street on June 8.

Mrs Smith said as mayor and a councillor, Mr Sweatman earned the respect of people from “all walks of life right across the political spectrum”,

She said: “Frank was proud of what he did in his work for the local community, because of what was achieved by and for the community and not because of the need for any recognition himself.

“It was a great surprise and pleasure to him to be elected mayor of Marlow and he was very proud of that on a personal level.

“Dad had strong principles that helped us to grow up understanding that success wasn't going to be handed to us on a plate.

“He did, however, guide us in the right direction with advice and practical support and had absolute faith in our ability to overcome life's challenges and we knew that he was always there if we needed him.

“His smile, laughter and love of life will be sorely missed.”