South Oxhey has lost a community-minded music lover who was half of a husband and wife political duo.

Former Three Rivers District Councillor David Ronald Spellen died on May 5 after a long illness. He was 85.

Mr Spellen, who lived in South Oxhey for more than 35 years, served as chairman for Three Rivers District Council in 2010 and on many boards for the Labour Party between 1995 and 2010.

He followed his wife Alicia Nena Spellen, herself a long-standing Labour councillor and council chairman, into politics.

The couple shared an interest in local issues, international politics and current affairs. It was this passion which led them both along the path to becoming politicians.

Mr Spellen came to the UK from Guyana, South America in 1962, to study electrical engineering. His wife and two sons, Chris and Jonathan, joined him a few months later.

The couple and their family first lived in Muswell Hill, North West London and went on to have two more sons, Sean and Matthew.

Mr Spellen and his family moved to Burnt Oak, Edgware in 1973 before moving to Muirfield Road, South Oxhey in 1981.

After qualifying in electrical engineering, he spent the majority of his working years serving the areas he lived in and working for the NHS.

Mrs Spellen, known as Nena, was very active in the community, volunteering and baking for school fairs and charity events.

Ron was a keen gardener and spent most weekends socialising and getting to know his neighbours.

Religion played a major part in his life and he attended Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Church every Sunday until he became ill. Whenever he was unable to attend church, he watched religious television, something that continued right up until he was hospitalised.

Music was also a passion of Ron’s. He had an eclectic taste, with everything from calypso and soca to Louis Armstrong and John Holt amongst his favourites.

Mr Spellen was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and died on Thursday May 5.

He leaves his wife, four sons, five grandchildren and a niece and two great nieces whom he treated like a daughter and grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held at West Herts Crematorium on Saturday May 14 at 10.30am, followed by a wake at Watford Town & Country Club from 12pm.