THE people of Foxwood will bid farewell to one of the community’s hardest-working residents on Wednesday at the funeral of James Patrick Gumley.

Mr Gumley’s death at the age of 73, on April 20 in York Hospital, means “a big piece of Foxwood has gone”, according to those who knew him.

Constantly campaigning for a better community, Mr Gumley was chairman of Foxwood Community Association, Foxwood Community Action Group and involved in the management of Foxwood Community Centre.

His widow, Shirley, said: “He was very, very popular and everybody knew him because he was always doing his walkabout.

“When he was taken ill a couple of years ago he had to give up all his voluntary work, and that upset him, but he still liked to do his daily walk around the area. I think it was that that kept him going.”

Born in Ireland, Mr Gumley came to England aged 16. After National Service, he took a job at York station, where he worked his way up to head porter. While there he also served as president of the branch president of the National Union of Railwaymen.

He also devoted much of his time to helping out at St Leonard’s Hospice.

When not at work, however, he threw his efforts into working for his community.

It was his influence which led to wooden gates being fitted in Foxwood’s many alleyways to stop them being used by drug dealers and as an escape route for burglars.

Mrs Gumley said: “The gates are still there ten or 12 years on.

“He also successfully fought to get the council to fit better windows in the houses in Foxwood, and for flowers to be planted in the green communal areas.

“Many people used to know him at the council,” she said. “He used to go to a lot of council meetings just to get to know what was going on.

“But he never fell out with anyone,” she added.

“Even with his battles with the council he was always a gentleman.

“I think that’s why so many people respected him.”

Foxwood ward councillor Sue Galloway said: “James worked hard with residents to champion Foxwood, which he loved.

“He was well respected, and even when his illness curtailed his involvement he still took regular walks round the area.

“He will be sadly missed and I certainly enjoyed working alongside him.”

Mr Gumley leaves his widow, five children and numerous grandchildren.

His funeral takes place at 3pm on Wednesday, at York Crematorium, in Bishopthorpe.

His family haved asked for donations to be made to either St Leonard’s Hospice or the heart failure nurses department at York Hospital.