Politician and Businessman

Born: August 21, 1921

Died: May 4, 2015

Sir Simpson Stevenson, who has died at the age of 93 after a short illness, was a Greenock-born politician and businessman who became a highly influential chairman of Greater Glasgow Health Board and was twice appointed Provost.

Sir Simpson was born one of a family of eight. Always proud of his working class roots as a member of a hard-working and loving family, he was forever providing tales of overcoming hardship. His father was a highly respected shipyard worker, who Sir Simpson continually referred to as being a 'hauder-oan', i.e. someone who held the hot rivets against the metal sheets.

It is certainly true to say that families living in damp, cramped single-ends were inspirational in propelling Sir Simpson into politics. As a major supporter of a health service for all, he was delighted when the National Health Service was introduced in 1948.

Upon leaving school, he worked for a time in a cobbler's shop owned by his brother. During the Second World War, he was an apprentice turner, which was deemed essential war work, working the Greenock Torpedo factory.

He was also a member of the First Aid team of the ARP at night and during the Greenock blitz in May 1941, he was involved in pulling survivors from collapsed buildings. He was then given the task of identifying bodies in the makeshift mortuary at Princes Pier in Greenock, a job that clearly left his mark on him.

Once his apprenticeship finished he was called up for service to the Royal Navy, sailing on an aircraft carrier as far as Australia. But he always said the only place he saw real war action was in Greenock.

It was during the war that he was to meet a Port Glasgow lass, his future wife Jean, who was to become an excellent support to Sir Simpson both in business and as Lady Provost for some 54 years.

After the war, he ran his own cobbler's shops before ultimately branching out into small supermarkets in the Inverclyde area.

Naturally interested in politics, he joined the Labour Party, becoming a local councillor in 1949. Indeed he was to be involved in local politics until the age of 78. In 1962 he was appointed Provost of Greenock then in 1984 served as Provost of Inverclyde.

His lifelong support of the National Health Service was recognised in 1967 when he was appointed chairman of the Western Regional Hospital Board, then as chairman of the Greater Glasgow Health Board from 1973 to 1983.

In 1976 he was appointed to a Royal Commission to the National Health Service and was knighted by the Queen the same year.

Other offices Sir Simpson held during his long career included chairman of the Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency from 1973 to 1977. In addition, he served as chairman of the James Watt College in Greenock and as regional chairman of the Prince's Trust and vice chair of Clydeport.

Other honours included an honorary doctorate from Glasgow University and his appointment as depute Lord Lieutenant for Renfrewshire.

A lifelong supporter of Greenock Morton, he was to be found in his usual seat in the stand at each home game. Just before he passed away he was heartened to hear that his beloved team had won the league and would be promoted.

Sir Simpson was also an enthusiastic bowler and was a proud member and past president of Ardgowan Bowling Club in Greenock. In addition, most days, even into his nineties, he could be found during the winter months playing bowls at Inverclyde's Indoor Rink.

He was member of Greenock Elim Church for 70 years, and was a regular attender at Greenock Baptist Church for the last 12 years.

Although Sir Simpson did not have children, he fondly talked about and was supportive of his wide range of nephews and nieces. He was proud of being a great, great uncle to many.

A Thanksgiving Service for his life will be held in Greenock Town Hall on Tuesday the 12th May, at 2pm.

ALLAN MORRISON