John Mylod, who held the mayoral office three times, died on Friday, February 28.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, his family moved to Britain when he was six months old.
Havering Council said he grew up in Ilford and lived in Dagenham, Cranham and Upminster.
Councillor Mylod completed two years of national service in the 1950s and later worked for the Ford Motor Company and several local authorities.
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He was a founder member of the Institute of Municipal Safety Officers and the Institution of Occupational Health & Safety Practitioners, where he was also the general secretary.
He was also involved in the police cadets. He took early retirement and was first elected to Havering Council in May 1994, representing the Saint Andrews ward for the Hornchurch Residents’ Association.
He was re-elected six times to serve the ward and spent many years under the Havering Residents Association (HRA) banner but left in 2018 to defect to the Conservatives.
Cllr Mylod was the first Mayor of Havering to be elected through a virtual vote during the Covid pandemic.
He was awarded the freedom of the borough in December.
HRA and council leader Ray Morgon said: “I was sad to learn of John’s death.
“John was well known to many residents of Havering and served his residents in Saint Andrews ward well over many years.
“On behalf of all members, I want to convey our sincere condolences to all of John’s family and friends.”
Tributes will be paid at the next full council meeting on Wednesday, March 26.
