Tributes pour in after Haywards Heath councillor Tim Farmer dies of cancer

Tim Farmer with his wife and two daughters

Tributes have poured in for an ‘amazing’ husband and father and ‘superb’ councillor who has died after a year long battle with cancer.

Tim Farmer, a Haywards Heath town councillor and Mid Sussex district councillor since 2011, died aged 43 last Wednesday (August 6) of oesophageal cancer.

His wife, Karen, said: “He had a battle with cancer for a year. It was a battle he hoped he would win, he was such a positive person, always really determined.

“Tim was an amazing husband and best daddy to our two daughters aged seven and nine. He was a wonderful son and brother. He was such a positive person and a doer in life. I was incredibly proud of him.”

Tim represented the Lucastes and Bolnore Ward for both councils, and was also a full time pilot for EasyJet.

His wife continued: “Despite his terrible diagnosis he carried on working tirelessly for both the town and district Council, a sign of his determination and in true Tim spirit.

“He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in July 2013 and sadly lost his battle 12 months later at home aged 43. He had so much more to give and share and the tributes on Facebook and Twitter say it all.”

Karen added she was most touched by tributes describing Tim as having terrific judgement, being a natural leader and a gentleman who ‘had the rare ability to see through the fog of debate and crystallise solutions’.

A 'cure cancer bangle' given to Tim by his daughter

Sir Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex, tweeted: “The death of Tim Farmer robs our community of a wise energetic effective leader. He was a real contributor to the battle of life. RIP”

On his Twitter page Tim described himself as ‘Conservative Cllr, Airline Pilot, Cancer patient, Glass Half Full’.

He regularly posted about his cancer, sharing a picture of ‘My daughters Fathers day/Cancer Cure bangle. Love them. #thatsmydad #timscancer’.

On June 9 he posted ‘2 week update- brain metastasis Op – >50% vision loss, scar healing well & feeling positive for next stage of Chemo #timscancer’ and on June 16 ‘Day of scans at @royalmarsden love the positivity at this hospital, so refreshing. #timscancer’.

On Juse 15 Tim posted: “My daughters Fathers day /Cancer Cure bangle. Love them. #thatsmydad #timscancer.”

Tim was leader of the town council, developing the Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan and the early stages of the Town Team, whilst he was vice chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee and chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for Planning and Economic Development.

Haywards Heath town mayor, Sandy Ellis, said: “Tim was a passionate and dedicated councillor and leader. He held all the qualities and characteristics that made us naturally look up to him.