Memorial bench on quay for councillor 'who did much for the town'
A MEMORIAL bench for former Weymouth councillor Tony Ferrari is likely to be placed on the town's harbourside.
Dorset Council were told by Littlemoor and Preston councillor Louie O'Leary that the bench would be a fitting tribute to Cllr Ferrari who, he said, had done much for the town.
Cllr Ferrari, 70, who shared the ward with Cllr O'Leary, collapsed and died while running in November 2023.
He had served in many roles in local government over 20 years, including on Weymouth Town Council, and for a period as portfolio holder for finance at Dorset Council.
In his spare time he was an experienced long-distance runner, competing in ultra-marathon and endurance events.
Cllr Ferrari and his wife, Erica, had moved to Weymouth from Harrow eight years prior to his death, where he had served as a borough councillor.
Confirming that Dorset Council would work with the town council over the bench Portfolio holder for Place Cllr Jon Andrews said he, like others, had been stunned by Cllr Ferrari's death, describing him as 'always polite and civil and always gave a straight answer.'
*Cllr Ferrari's wife Erica paid tribute to him in the Echo following his death in 2023, describing her husband as an honest, self-deprecating man with a genuine care for others.
Although he had spent many years as the managing director of a FTSE 100 company he seldom spoke about it – preferring to talk about his community work and his passion for running.
She said he had turned to teaching chemistry in his retirement prior to moving to Weymouth as a way of keeping busy.
Cllr Ferrari had worked in the community on a variety of projects throughout the Covid period and was a supporter of many local groups.
Fellow ward councillor Louie O'Leary said at the time: 'This is absolutely devastating and unexpected news. I first met Tony when I was selected at 20 years of age and he helped mentor me in many ways. He was a man dedicated to public service an active ward councillor who served in many roles in local government for over 20 years.
'He was a friend, a mentor a public servant of the highest merit and most importantly a dedicated husband, son and loving father and grandfather.
'His loss will be felt by all those he served and knew.'
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