A WELL-known community activist from Barrhead has died suddenly at the age of 71.

Phil Traish, who campaigned on a variety of issues in the Dunterlie area, died peacefully at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, on Sunday after a battle with stomach cancer.

Mr Traish, who lost his wife Helen back in December after she also contracted cancer, has been described by his niece Alison Finnigan as “a lovely man” who “gave his life to Dunterlie.”

Over the years, Mr Traish was heavily involved with the East Renfrewshire Anti-Cuts Committee and, more recently, campaigned hard against the closure of a Barrhead Post Office within the McColl’s store in Main Street.

He also got involved with the Dunterlie Tenants Action Group and was a big campaigner against moves such as the poll tax and privatisation.

Alison said: “Phil collapsed suddenly two weeks ago and died peacefully at the RAH on Sunday. It was very sudden, as he had had cancer for about a year and a half and it seemed to be under control.

“He lost his wife Helen in December and I honestly think he had a broken heart.

“He was such a lovely man and basically brought me up with Helen and my gran.

“He worked so hard for the community and everyone knew him.”

Barrhead Community Council also extended their love and thanks to Phil, for his dedication to his work around the community and for the years he spent with the town's community council.

Mr Traish’s funeral will be at Woodside Crematorium, in Paisley, on Wednesday, April 3, at 1pm.