TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved and respected Barrhead grandfather – well known as a lollipop man and popular with the town's football community – who has died.

Gerry Hughes, 73, was renowned in the town for his role helping children to cross the roads safely at both Barrhead Railway Station and Springhill and Auchenback Primary.

Not only was Gerry a popular lollipop man, he was also a former president of Arthurlie Football Club for six years and the licensee of Arthurlie Social Club for more than two decades.

The news of Gerry's death has struck a chord with scores of people throughout Barrhead and the wider community after his children began spreading the word on social media.

Daughter Angela, 44, informed members of a Barrhead Facebook group that her father, the beloved husband of Pat, had passed away on Monday, August 8 from a suspected heart attack and immediately messages from wellwishers began pouring in.

Angela's sister Julie admitted the family had been blown away by all of the tributes and support they have received.

The 45-year-old said: "We're all totally overwhelmed with it. I don't even think he realised it himself – it's comforting to know all this."

A Barrhead resident all his life, Gerry grew up in Rufflees Avenue and attended St John's Primary before moving up to St Mirren High School in Paisley.

From there he went on to find work at Mac Fisheries fishmongers in Glasgow before taking up a role as a van boy with the Co-operative in Barrhead and later in Cumbernauld. He also held a temporary post as a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport.

As testified by his daughter Kathryn, 47, Gerry "wasn't an idle person" and worked all his days of a career which included stints at Spillers, Rawplug and LEP International where he was a shift supervisor.

Gerry took up his post as a lollipop man at the ripe old age of 67 – a career choice which came as no surprise to his family.

Kathryn said: "He couldn't sit about once his job had finished. He just wasn't one for sitting about the house.

"My dad worked all his life. It didn't matter how many hours a shift – he always enjoyed his work.

"He worked in a couple of different places in Barrhead and he gained a lot of friends and acquaintances."

When he was not grafting away, Gerry took trips to his favour holiday destination, Canada. He also enjoyed fishing and regularly visited Inverkip and Wemyss Bay in Renfrewshire.

Though the pain of losing her father is still raw, Kathryn insisted he would have had few complaints with passing so suddenly.

Gerry even had the details of his funeral mapped out to ensure his loved ones did not have to fret about the arrangements.

"It's what he would've wanted, he didn't want to linger," she said.

"He was just a gentleman and he didn't gossip. He would just chat away and listen to you and take in what you were saying. He was a good listener.

"He'd written all this down, he'd left us a wee book with all his wishes in it, he stipulated what he would like. There are two hymns he chose for himself. He was always early with everything.

"My dad was always there organised with his suit on and liked to be smart."

Arthurlie FC took to Facebook to post a message of condolence which read: "Arthurlie are saddened to hear of the passing of former club president Gerry Hughes. The thoughts of everyone at Arthurlie FC are with his family at this sad time. RIP Gerry."

Gerry is survived by his five children Angela, Julie, Kathryn and twins Christopher and Paul – both 51 – as well as 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.