Labour MP Terry Fields _320
"He spent his whole life devoted to the struggles of the common man.
"His ripples will felt long after he's gone."
"He was a man of great humour, intelligence, and wit."
A month ago the Liverpool FC fan was diagnosed with cancer, but was "joking to the last", Stephan added.
Mr Fields also leaves widow Maureen, 68, children Denise, 48, Michael, 45, and Paula, 40, and 10 grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Tony Mulhearn, former president of the Liverpool District Labour Party, also expelled from the party for his Militant tendencies, said: "Terry was a giant of the Labour movement.
Mr Mulhearn is also one of the so-called 47, the Labour councillors barred from office for five years for refusing to set a legal budget during the Militant era.
"He has passed away at time when the left is beginning to re-emerge, and socialism is back on the agenda."
He said he was as deeply committed to socialism at the time of his death than he had been during his political career.
Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP for Walton, who previously clashed with Mr Fields, said: "I disagreed with him politically, but he was a great family man, and will be a huge loss to his family and friends."
This morning the FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "Terry Fields served the people of Merseyside as a local firefighter for many years before being elected an MP. He was well known and respected within the union and the fire service.
"Terry was always known as a man of honour, honesty and humour. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
Les Skarratts, Merseyside FBU brigade secretary said: "Terry Fields was a great socialist, trade unionist, and a leader of the left. He was an inspiration to many, and most of all a good comrade."
Mr Fields' funeral will be held at St Benet's Catholic Church, Copy Lane, Bootle, on Friday at 11am followed by committal at Thornton Crematorium.
