Last week (20 February 2025) saw the passing of former Mayor of Ealing (1998-1999) and Ealing Councillor (1990-2002) Umesh Sharma aged 73. His son, Hitesh, has shared an eulogy for his father.
Eulogy for Umesh Chander Sharma, 3/6/1951 – 20/2/2025
(Mayor of Ealing, 1998–99 | London Borough of Ealing Councillor, 1990–2002)
Umesh Sharma was a towering figure in local politics and community service, leaving a lasting impact not just in the Borough of Ealing, but across the UK and beyond.
Born in India in 1951, he moved to Southall in 1976 and quickly made his mark as a dedicated champion for the community. His passion for service was evident early on, as he took on the role of governor at two local schools, Clifton Primary and Featherstone High. This commitment to education and civic engagement spurred him to enter local politics, and in 1990, he was elected as a councillor for Southall.
During his time on the council, he earned a reputation as someone who could truly get things done – an advocate who listened, acted, and delivered for his constituents, particularly as the Chair of the Planning Committee. In 1998, he was appointed Mayor of Ealing, a role he embraced with great humility and an unwavering sense of duty.
His service extended beyond politics. In 1992, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) and served as a magistrate for over 30 years, upholding justice with fairness and integrity.
From 1996, as chairman of the Hindu Mandir in Southall, he led efforts to expand and improve the temple, ensuring it remained a pillar of support and spirituality for the community. His leadership also extended nationally, where he played a key role in advancing initiatives for the Hindu community. In recent years Umesh has represented the Hindu Community at the Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
More than anything, Umesh was an inspiration – someone who believed in the power of unity. He dedicated his life to bringing people from all backgrounds together, fostering a deep sense of mutual respect, understanding, and friendship.
In 2021 Umesh was presented with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Inter-Faith Cooperation from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, for his exceptionally committed civic service fostering good interfaith relationships, both locally and internationally.
Although he will be greatly missed, by inspiring generations to come, he has ensured that his legacy of service, kindness and unity will live on in the community he dedicated his life to.
 saw the passing of former Mayor of Ealing (1998-1999) and Ealing Councillor (1990-2002) Umesh Sharma aged 73. His son, Hitesh, has shared an eulogy for his father.){kind=link}