A POPULAR councillor, described as a “friend to everyone”, died suddenly this morning a week before he was due to receive an award for 25 years of service to Harrow Council.

Councillor John Cowan was first elected in May 1986 for Canons Ward and was currently serving his seventh consecutive period in office after winning the seat in the May elections last year.

He was deputy leader of the Conservative Group from 1997 to 1998 and group leader from 1999 to 2003.

He served on council committees, including the Education Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee and also served as a key appointee to the Harrow College Further Education Corporation Board and North London Collegiate School Board.

He was mayor in 1994/95 and served with his late wife Janet in Canons Ward until she died in office in October 2007.

Mr Cowan’s son, Richard, confirmed his father died this morning of a heart attack after a routine operation.

He said: “He was an absolutely fantastic father and grandfather and he got to know his grandchildren really well.

“No-one could ever say a bad word about him and he was very well respected across the political spectrum.

“We were very much aware of his work as a councillor and remember his time as mayor. We are very proud of him. He was the type of person who was enemies with no-one and a friend to everyone.

“He touched a lot of people’s lives whether they were personal, professional or community contacts.

“He was there 24/7 for the people in the community and there will a massive hole left following his passing away.”

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative Group, said: "It was a great privilege to have known such a lovely man. He was a dedicated councillor who worked tirelessly for the community, together with his late wife Janet, who we very sadly lost in 2007.

“The council won’t be the same without his presence and authority at meetings and his infectious and cheeky sense of humour.

“John was a dear friend to so many people and was deeply loved. He we will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time.”

Fellow councillor on Canons Ward, Councillor Husain Akhtar, said: "I'm shocked and devastated by his tragic death.

"He was a superb colleague whose guidance and wisdom I greatly valued."

Harrow Council leader, Councillor Bill Stephenson, said: “This is a tremendous shock. John has been a very long and loyal servant to the people of Harrow and will be greatly missed.

“I was at a meeting of the Audit Committee just last week, which John was chairing in his usual masterly way, making sure everybody had their say.

“He had great financial expertise, was meticulous and that is why as an administration, we were happy to have John as an opposition councillor chairing the committee.

“Personally I will really miss him. He always gave as good as he got when it came to debate but afterwards was immensely friendly and very much respected by everyone on the council.”

Cllr Cowan is survived by his sons Richard and Martin and four grandchildren.