Tributes paid after death of Telford magistrate
Tributes have been paid to the chairman of Telford and South Shropshire Magistrates Court, who has died at the age of 67.
Frank Townsend died peacefully at home in Priorslee on August 8. Mr Townsend was born in Clun in 1945 to Vera and Harold Townsend. He attended Bishop's Castle County High.
He left school at 16 to become a police cadet and two years later graduated into the force, serving in the CID and traffic police in Bridgnorth, Daw- ley and Wolverhampton.
He left the force in 1972 and moved through several jobs. He was also known to many people as a driving instructor, having worked for more than 30 years in Telford, Shifnal and Bridgnorth.
Mr Townsend became a magistrate in 1990 and was the serving chairman of Telford and South Shropshire Magistrates Court at the time of his death. He was also the chairman of the West Mercia Bench Chairman's Group, and part of the Independent Monitoring Board of HMP Stoke Heath.
His wife, Lesley, said: "His interests included the Rotary Club of Ironbridge, he was a county badminton, football and cricket player, and coach in his younger days, a Wolverhampton Wanderers season ticket holder, and past chairman of Telford and District Driving Schools Association."
David Owen, for the Rotary Club of Ironbridge, said: "Frank was a very popular member of the club and was considered one of life's gentlemen. He was the treasurer for several years."
Mr Townsend leaves his wife Lesley, children Nicki, Toni, Luke and Andy, and grandchildren James and Elise.
A thanksgiving service for his life will be held on Saturday at noon at St Georges Parish Church, St Georges, Telford. There will be a collection for the Hospice at Home Severn Hospice during the service.
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