Tributes have been made to Merton’s first black mayor who will be buried in his native Guyana after passing away earlier this month.

Joe Abrams, who received the OBE for working to improve racial equality and served as a Merton councillor for Graveney ward from 1982 to 2006, died aged 75 on Sunday, February 5.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of Merton Council, said: “Everyone in the council was very saddened by the news of Joe passing away.

“He was a great mayor and a very talented man. He made an incredible contribution to our borough and set a high standard for other mayors to follow.

“He is to be buried in Guyana and we will mark his passing at the full council meeting next month.”

Mr Abrams chaired the overview and scrutiny commission in the Stephen Lawrence enquiry in Merton and served as deputy chair of the commission for race equality.

Councillor Oonagh Moulton, who served as Merton’s mayor last year, said he was “a wonderful man and pastor who I respected.”

From 1991 to 1998, he chaired the council’s Personnel and Equalities Committee and spearheaded the council’s No Smoking Policy, as well reducing the working week and the abolition of the terms ‘manual’ and ‘white collar’ council workers.

In 2001, his wife Claudette collapsed and died from a heart attack as she boarded a plan in Guyana. He leaves behind three children, including his son Kingsley who has also served as a Merton Councillor.

Did you know Mr Abrams and would like to leave a tribute? Call Omar on 020 8722 6335, tweet @OmarOakes or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.