MOURNERS paid their last respects yesterday to Sir Dennis Pettitt, who led Notts County Council for 20 years.
Many of those who attended the service at Bramcote Crematorium knew Sir Dennis from his political career, which spanned five decades.
But yesterday they were able to hear about the 85-year-old's varied early life, including his part in the Normandy D-Day landings.
Officiator Geoff Glave, who led the non-religious service, described Sir Dennis as a man who was passionate about everything he did.
Robert Pettitt gave a tribute to his father on behalf of the family.
He told how his father had grown up in a working class household in Birmingham, and took his first job "literally shovelling horse muck".
He won a scholarship to Moseley Grammar School, where he would turn up in the morning having already done a day's work, to be met by children being dropped off in expensive cars.
"When my dad talked about social division he knew what he was talking about," said Mr Pettitt.
A standard-bearer carried the flag of the Normandy Veterans' Association, and Mr Pettitt explained that on the many times his father returned to Normandy, he visited the cemetery where one of his fallen comrades was buried.
Sir Dennis was elected to Birmingham City Council in 1962, where he served until 1968.
The family moved to Eastwood due to work, and Sir Dennis was elected to Broxtowe District Council in 1973, later becoming leader of the Labour group.
In 1977, he was elected to Notts County Council to represent Eastwood and Brinsley. Two years later, he became leader of the Labour Group.
When the Labour Party returned to power in May 1981, he became council leader, a position he held until he retired in 2001.
Former Nottingham East MP John Heppell, who was deputy leader of Notts County Council from 1985 to 1992, was emotional as he described Sir Dennis as his teacher and comrade.
"I used to tell everyone that Dennis Pettitt was the best politician I had ever known," said Mr Heppell. "Even now I rank him, like Brian Clough, as being in the top one."
Sir Dennis was awarded the title Honorary Alderman of Notts County Council in recognition of his service.
He led the county council's Labour group during the miners' strike and fought to defend services following cuts to the local government grant.
Under his leadership, the council was lauded for its achievements in governance, services and its international outlook. In 1998 Coun Pettitt was knighted.
His daughter Lynda died in 1973. He is survived by his wife, Lady Dorothy, daughter Jocelyn, sons Robert and Nicholas, and four grandchildren.
So many came to pay their respects that some had to stand at the back.
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