Children's funeral tribute to fire death ex-councillor

5:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

By James Nadal

THE three children of ex-councillor Tony Dunn, who was found dead in a burning car, paid moving tributes to their father at his funeral today.

Hundreds of friends and well wishers joined Mr Dunn's family in paying their last respects at his funeral.

All Saints Church on the Causeway, Marlow, was so packed that it struggled to find seats to accommodate everyone.

She said: “It's not easy to sum up the man in to a page of words. I don't feel I can do justice when I described him in words.

“When I think of my dad I see him sleeping in his armchair with nutshells scattered everywhere, I see him on holiday somewhere unusual with a smile on his face.”

She told of his fondness for cooking sausages on the barbecue, even on the coldest days and trying to find the perfect restaurant on their many foreign visits as a family.

She finished by saying: “I just want to say that I love you and I'm proud of you and will miss you always.”

Youngest son Michael said: “What I know for certain is that he will be missed more deeply and by more people than I or he could ever imagine – by the number of people who have attended this is clear.”

He said of the day Mr Dunn gave his speech at the Marlow Regatta on becoming deputy Mayor “it was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

He said his father was a man of “unshakeable morals” whose decisions as a councillor had made Marlow a better place.

Mr Dunn was “an amazing linguist”, Michael said, a point made by every sibling.

He spoke up to ten languages including French, Spanish and Italian. He studied Arabic as a university student at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

The chartered surveyor would always speak fluently in a range of languages on family holidays abroad, his son said.

Michael said: “I took it for granted that all the fathers could order in restaurants and all could tell you what was happening in the local newspapers.”

He also told of his father's great talent for solving crossword and sudoku puzzles.

Mr Dunn's eldest son David said: “He was never happier than when he was with his family with a glass of wine in easy reach.

Although he could be “as stubborn as a mule”and “didn't suffer fools gladly” he was also an empathetic character and could be persuaded by a good argument, Mr Dunn's children said.

Each of the children's tear jerking tributes ended with a resounding round of applause.

Mourners also heard Liverpool born Mr Dunn was a talented pianist and would also joked that the Beatles had chosen the wrong drummer.

His love of Liverpool Football Club and his special relationship with legendary boss Bill Shankly was also spoken of.

The funeral service ended with music from one of Mr Dunn's favourite artists Bob Dylan.