Past Albury mayor Les Langford eulogised for his civic work and love of cars at funeral

Mourners gathered at Albury's St Matthew's Anglican Church on Tuesday morning to farewell Dr Langford who died on December 1 aged 91.

His sons Paul and Mark gave eulogies to their father who spent 24 years on council from 1980 and had four years as mayor.

They told of a father whose interests included cars, sailing and fishing when he was not practising as a dentist.

As newlyweds, Dr Langford and wife June moved to London in the late 1950s and he worked in a clinic owned by the father of Formula One driver Stirling Moss.

Mark said a motoring writer was test driving a Vauxhall Victor to Le Mans and his parents were invited along.

"Of course they jumped at the chance...and they experienced a wild ride across France where they watched the 1959 Le Mans race from Stirling Moss' pits, enjoying endless food and beverages," Mark said.

Dr Langford had 27 cars over his lifetime and enjoyed tinkering with them.

"Dentist by day, grease monkey by night," Paul said.

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Mourners heard Dr Langford had a fortunate upbringing in Melbourne with his family having a car and telephone while others battled the Depression.

He came to Albury after filling in for Corowa dentist Edgar Meldrum and meeting the tooth doctor's daughter June who he married.

Paul listed his dad's council deeds: airport growth, flood works, sewage treatment, fluoride in drinking water and awarding civic freedom to Vietnam veterans.

Immediate past Albury mayor Kevin Mack lit three candles of remembrance for Dr Langford at the opening of the funeral service.

Throughout proceedings, the mayor chain rested on the head of Dr Langford's casket.

Officiating priest, Father Peter MacLeod-Miller lauded Dr Langford's service to his adopted community over decades.

"He was interested in the nuts and bolts of life and the nuts and bolts of Albury itself," he said.

"He's made a significant contribution to a machine which will continue to take people as a vehicle into the future.

"That's why do acknowledge him today and he will never be forgotten because of the real contribution he has made, not because of the chain that he wore but because of the person he was."

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