Tributes to former south Hornchurch councillor Denis Breading

Tributes have been paid after the death of a former Havering councillor and Royal Marine medic.

Denis Breading, Labour councillor for south Hornchurch from 2010 until 2014, died aged 73 in Queen’s Hospital, Romford, last Thursday (June 22) from a kidney problem.

He also unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the 2017 general election for the Green Party in the Dagenham and Rainham constituency.

Denis, who retired in 2007 from the civil service, was known for his dedication to sports and love of theatre, having moved to Elm Park in 2004 from East Ham.

Even from East Ham, Denis travelled to Romford to visit Queen’s Theatre for evenings he and his wife Mary always relished, she said.

“He was very dedicated,” said Mary. “He loved the theatre and music, Dusty Springfield was his favourite.”

Mary said Denis, a referee for 40 years, was obsessed with football and regularly went to Ipswich Town matches.

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Cllr Barry Mugglestone, Denis’ colleague at the Elm Park Royal British Legion for six years, said he was straight-talking and honest above all else.

Melvin Wallace, chairman of Havering Sports Council who worked with Denis, added that he was a pleasure to be around.

“I always got along with him very well,” he said. “He was a lovely person and I’m very sad that he died.”

Denis was driven about causes such as the environment, according to Keith Darvill, who worked alongside him in the Labour group.

“He was committed to the community,” he said. “He was keen to work as an individual and cared a lot about the climate.” 

Dave Ainsworth, Havering Sports Council press officer, said he knew Denis since the 1970s and spoke about his dedication to sports.

“Denis never joined anything without being a true activist who soon took on offices and positions,” he said.

Tributes were paid at last night’s (June 27) monthly meeting of Havering Sports Council at Hornchurch Cricket Club and a silence was observed in respect of his passing.

Denis, who had no children, leaves behind his wife Mary.