ONE of Northallerton’s honorary citizens has died, three weeks short of his 91st birthday.

George Henry Kelley was a former prison warden at HMP Northallerton and town mayor in 1980.

The father-of-four served in the Green Howards during the Second World War.

Upon leaving the army he joined a local building firm, before becoming a prison warden in 1956 which he did  until his retirement.

He was involved in many other community organisations and charities in the town, as well as serving as a councillor. In 2001 was made an honorary citizen of Northallerton for his services to his community.

Mr Kelley, from Galtres Road, Northallerton, died peacefully at the Friarage Hospital on Thursday, February 7 with his wife of 34 years, Bessie, and family at his bedside.

Mr Kelley was married to his first wife, Maureen Kelley, for 27 years, until the Friarage Hospital matron's death in 1975. 

He also leaves four children.

Son-in-law, John Blevins, said they plan a private service for close family at Northallerton Crematorium for Mr Kelley.

A family friend and Northallerton resident, Bobby Cooper, would be doing a reading about Mr Kelley’s life from a “scrapbook” of memories they had created.