Brian Lohan Obituary, Death – The sudden passing away of Councillor Brian Lohan, 61, on the 24th of December 2022 has left the Mansfield District Council in a state of mourning. In a special election held in February 2010, Councillor Lohan was chosen to represent the Portland ward. Since that time, he has been re-elected three times to continue serving the Portland constituents he was elected to serve.
Councillor Lohan was a dedicated member of both the Mansfield Council and the Mansfield Labour Group throughout the decades he spent serving his community in various capacities. Between the years 2011 and 2012, he served as Vice Chairman of the council. The following year, he was promoted to the position of Chairman. Following his election to the position of Chairman in May 2013, the previously Elected Mayor, Tony Egginton, honored him by presenting him with a Past Chair’s Medal and remarking that the council had done him a great honor by bestowing this position upon him.
A garden party was held at Buckingham Palace, which Councillor Lohan attended in her capacity as chair. During the time that he served as a councillor, Councillor Lohan put in a lot of effort in his community and was a very active and dedicated member for the benefit of his constituents.
“The shock of Brian’s passing is still palpable,” said Andy Abrahams, leader of the Labour Party and elected mayor of the city. Just a few days ago, he was in peak form, singing praises of the people of Mansfield and the many people who contributed to the Civic Carol Service that was held at St. Peter and St. Paul.
It would be impossible to list all of the wonderful things that have been said about this generous and kind man given all of the tributes that have been paid to him. For me, Brian was a steadfast supporter who was committed to making the lives of those in need a little bit better. He was also a fierce fighter for Mansfield, but he was always so caring. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
Councillor Brian Lohan also served as a trustee for the Brunts Charity, an organization that encourages residents of the district to lead independent lives while also providing them with a safe environment in which to do so. In addition, he served as the council’s representative on a number of external bodies, such as the Queen Elizabeth’s Trust, the Allotment Trustees, the Mansfield Education Foundation, the National Association for British Market Authorities, and the Heilegenhaus Twinning Association.
Councillor Paul Henshaw, who is also the Chair of the Labour Party for the Mansfield Constituency, expressed his feelings as follows: “I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Councillor Brian Lohan.” Brian was a passionate councillor who put in a lot of effort and worked hard for all of his constituents. In addition to that, he was a stalwart NUM member and a proud former miner. He referred to Mansfield as his “forever home” and claimed that he never wanted to live anywhere else.
“On a more personal note, I have known Brian ever since he was a member of the 6th Mansfield Boy’s Brigade, an organization that he has always been very generous toward supporting. A committed activist and longtime member of the labor movement passed away recently. It has been a privilege to call Brian a friend and to serve alongside him.
During his time on the council, Councillor Lohan served on a number of the council’s committees, including the Planning Applications Committee as well as all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees. He brought with him a wealth of experience and a thorough understanding of their workings. Additionally, he was chosen to lead the Planning Applications Committee, the Joint Committee on Compliance, the Health and Safety and Polling Places Review Committee, and various Vice Chair positions.
During the most recent review of the electoral process, he presided as Chair of the Polling Places Review Committee. Additionally, he was an active participant in the Budget Working Group throughout the process of analyzing the draft budget proposals made by the executive.
“Brian was a truly genuine and honest councillor working day in and day out for the residents of the Portland ward,” said Councillor John Coxhead, Secretary of the Mansfield Labour Group, who also commented on Brian’s passing. His dedication to the Mansfield District Council was unwavering, and he discharged his responsibilities as a councillor and as chair of the body with a sense of duty and honor. We will miss having him around.”