Former Bradford Lord Mayor Gordon Mitchell dies at 91

Gordon Mitchell, who held the position from 1996 to 1997, died at the age of 91 on July 1.

Through his Lord Mayor’s Appeal, he raised a phenomenal £210,000 for an extension at Oxenhope’s Manorlands Hospice and during the pandemic he went on to raise more than £4,000 for the hospice by walking 100 laps of his garden.

Gordon when he was Lord Mayor of Bradford, pictured with his wife Peggy

In a tribute, his family described him a “great mentor to the young, and leader of his family”.

They said: “A keen sportsman after his national service he and his identical twin brother boxed professionally.”

Gordon and Frank Bruno

He even came close to taking on the notorious Kray twins.

“One of them was ill, so they pulled out,” Gordon told the Telegraph & Argus in 1996.

He went on to work in several industries and was a union shop steward prior to his retirement.

He served the people of Bradford as a councillor in Odsal, followed by many years in his home ward of Clayton and Fairweather Green.

While Gordon was Lord Mayor, he and his wife Peggy welcomed the Queen to Bradford when she officially opened Centenary Square in 1997.

Gordon and Peggy

His family said it was a day Gordon cherished and was proud to be a part of.

“He always said he was a successful Lord Mayor because he had a good team around him,” said his family.  

Gordon was later honoured by the University of Bradford in recognition of his work in the community and the Council – a proud day for him and his family.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford District Labour Group and Bradford Council, said: “Gordon’s family can take great comfort and pride in everything he achieved for the city and in the huge amounts of money he raised for good causes that I know were very close to his heart.

Gordon featured in the Telegraph & Argus

“He was a big figure in Labour politics in the district and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and many friends.”

Proud family man Gordon leaves Peggy, five daughters and one son as well as 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Gordon served as Lord Mayor of Bradford from 1996 to 1997

His daughter Carol followed in his footsteps as a ward councillor for Clayton and Fairweather Green and Trustee of Clayton Village Hall.

Gordon’s family thanked all those involved caring for him since November 2019 including the NHS teams, Westfield Manor and staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary, particularly those on ward 29.

“Their care gave Gordon back his dignity and peaceful final days with his family,” said his family.

“He will be sadly missed, always loved and fondly remembered by all his family and friends.”