TERRY Waite has paid tribute to his brother, who has died at the age of 75.

David Waite was a well-known figure in the Lymm area, where he grew up with his siblings at the family home on Highfield Road – also including sister Diana, who still lives in the village.

Born in Styal, he had retired to Cyprus with wife Alison in his later years and passed away after a ‘short illness’.

Warrington Guardian:

Terry, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s when he was kidnapped and spent nearly five years in captivity in Beirut, told the Warrington Guardian: “My brother David was the father of four splendid children and throughout his life did his best to make a positive contribution to society.

“During the years of my captivity in Beirut, he was an active campaigner for my release.

“In his latter years, he lived with his wife Alison in Cyprus – which is where he chose to be buried.

“We mourn his loss and regret that travel restrictions make it impossible for my wife and I to attend the funeral.”

David’s son Dan is president of the Better Noise Music level, whose clients include Motley Crue.

He added: “Dad always used to joke that he was born in Styal and continued to live in style for the rest of his life.

Warrington Guardian:

David with son Dan and wife Alison

“Son of Lena and Thomas Waite, David was brought up in Highfield Road in Lymm – where he grew up with his sister Diana and Terry.

“As a family, we frequently returned to Lymm to visit Lena until her passing in 2000.

“A work colleague of mine recently moved to Lymm and shared some photos of Lymm Dam and Lymm Cross with me, which I was able to share with David before he died.

“This brought back fond memories of the people of Lymm and his time there working for the council.

“David and his wife Alison retired to Cyprus 10 years ago.

“Having just turned 75 in May, David succumbed to complications from a short illness which first started in July of this year.

“We are grateful he did not suffer long.

“As a family, we are saddened by David’s passing but celebrate his life.

“Having such strong links to Lymm through Diana and Terry, we wanted as David’s immediate family to thank the people of Lymm for being such a big part of making David the man he was and the man we loved.”

David’s funeral will take place at Paphos Christian Fellowship International Church in Cyprus at 12.30pm UK time today, Friday.

To follow the service via Zoom, email pcfi.pastor@gmail.com.