St Helier Deputy Richard Rondel has died.

He passed away last night at the age of 54 in the care of Jersey Hospice.

Deputy Rondel had been battling cancer for the past three years.

The father of three has represented St Helier 3 and 4 district in the States since 2011.

The death was announced this morning by Paul Battrick from Pitcher & Le Quesne funeral directors:

It’s with great sadness this morning to announce that Richard Rondel passed away last night the 14th November aged 54 years in the Tender care of Jersey Hospice after a courageous battle with Cancer. At this time our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”Pitcher & Le Quesne

Tributes are being paid to the popular politician.

My thoughts, and those of my @StatesAssembly colleagues, are with the family and close friends of St Helier Deputy Richard Rondel today. Richard has died after a long illness, having served the island as a States Member since 2011. Richard will be much missed by us all.

— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) November 15, 2018

Words cannot express how saddened we are to hear of the passing of our dear colleague, Deputy Richard Rondel. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this deeply upsetting time. pic.twitter.com/0SPMQvfS4X

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) November 15, 2018

Richard also served as Assistant Infrastructure Minister to ex-Deputy Eddie Noel. He says:

“Richard and I started out as colleagues and became close friends. He was an exemplar politician and a fantastic Assistant Minister”

Today we have lost a respected, hard working colleague in Deputy Richard Rondel. He was a true gentleman; cheerful, approachable & compassionate.

All our thoughts are with his close friends and family. We will miss you, Richard. #StHelier #JerseyCI @StHelierJsy @StatesAssembly

— Montfort Tadier (@DeputyTadier) November 15, 2018

Earlier this year his three sons completed a 36-mile walk around the island in their father’s name, raising more than £11,000 for the Friends of Jersey Oncology and Cancer Research UK – charities that had supported their dad through chemotherapy.