LABOUR Oxford city councillor Van Coulter has been remembered as a man who ‘solved problems at every level with kindness and wit’.

Family, friends and council colleagues were among hundreds of people who attended his funeral on Thursday at Oxford Crematorium, following his unexpected death aged 57 on March 13.

In tributes, the dedicated councillor was praised as a man who fought tirelessly to combat social inequalities in his community, who put others before himself, lived life with a great sense of humour and loved Stars Wars and Monty Python,

Ivan Paul Coulter was born in Belfast on April 17, 1959, and became known as Van when he moved to Oxford to begin a politics degree at Ruskin College in 2007.

He had previously worked for about 20 years as a benefits officer in Rochdale, Lancashire, but retired through ill health.

Shortly after he graduated in 2010 he became a Labour city councillor for Barton and Sandhills.

Yesterday’s service was full of fellow city and county councillors, council officers, other local government colleagues and friends.

Civil funeral celebrant Laura Kent told the congregation that Mr Coulter was ‘engaged so actively in making the world better for others’.

Mr Coulter’s father Tom said: “Van came to Oxford to study.

“He loved living in Oxford and I loved visiting him and being shown the sights.”

Mr Coulter’s son Daniel told the congregation: “My dad did not do things for money or fame – he did them because he believed he was making lives better.

“Prior to living in Oxford he was not called Van. When he told me, I said ‘you are not a commercial vehicle’ and he laughed and said ‘don’t be daft’.

“As sad as I may be, I’m happy because I know that dad was happy since moving to Oxford, especially during the past two years when he was living with wonderful people.”

Daniel recalled how he and his father would visit castles across Europe and re-enact Monty Python sketches.

David Hillman, who shared a house with Van Coulter, said: “I realised I never got annoyed with Van and I wondered why.

“He never caused problems – he solved problems at every level with human kindness and wit.

“I realised how hard he worked, travelling to the House of Commons to chair a meeting on climate change, or to Derry to chair a meeting on local democracy.

“He was originally from Belfast so it gave him great pleasure to return to that part of the world.

“He was passionate about democracy.”

City councillor Mike Rowley, who represents Barton and Sandhills, said: “Van laid the groundwork for the new Leys pool and was hugely involved in everything.

“He was a true socialist and co-operator and I will miss his quiet presence and principled support, his loyal solidarity and friendship.”

Celebrant Laura Kent told the congregation that ‘Rochdale’s loss was Oxford’s gain’ with his Oxford years some of the happiest of his life.

She added: “Many of you knew Van through his political work – he gave so much to political service but he was also a son, a father and a brother.”