Bridges said: “Pat was a giant of Manchester politics and one of the city’s most recognisable public figures for nearly 50 years.
“He never lost his connection to where he came from. He was proud to be from Collyhurst and to represent the people of Harpurhey and Collyhurst.”
He said that although Karney was “deeply serious about his politics and his values”, he also had “a great sense of fun” and was not afraid to use “a gimmick or two” to get his message across.
“For us in the council, we knew the Pat that everyone else knew, but we also knew him as a friend, someone who was always there with sage advice.
“We will miss him personally as much as we will miss him politically.”
Chief executive Tom Stannard said he would miss Karney’s “wisdom, his generosity with time and his inimitable grasp of Manchester’s history, as well as his forever optimism about its future”.
Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig said: “Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century.
“My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts.”