THE family of the 10th victim of the Clutha helicopter tragedy have revealed how his death has left a "huge gap" in their lives.
Hundreds of mourners are expected to gather to pay respects to Joe Cusker at South Lanarkshire Crematorium this afternoon.
Mr Cusker, 59, of Cambuslang, died last Thursday, 13 days after the Police Scotland helicopter crashed into the packed bar in Glasgow on November 29.
He had been receiving treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for serious injuries when he died last week. His family said: "When the accident happened, our family thought we were one of the lucky ones. Losing Joe 13 days later has left a huge gap in our lives which, at this moment, we can't imagine beginning to fill.
"We are now left with the task of making sure his grandchildren grow up knowing who their 'Papa Joe' was, even if some are too young to remember him."
They added that Joe was a Glaswegian at heart, saying: "He would have been proud at the courage and generosity the people of Glasgow have shown."
Previously, colleagues and friends of Mr Cusker spoke of a "dedicated, clever, kind man" who had volunteered with the local housing association for 10 years.
The crash occurred when PC Kirsty Nelis and colleague PC Tony Collins, 43, were returning from a police operation. They died alongside pilot David Traill, 51, and six other people inside the pub.
Mr Cusker's family said they were grateful for the care and compassion shown by staff at the hospital. They added: "The family would like to thank the emergency services, who gave Joe a fighting chance by removing him from the Clutha."
On Monday, Eurocopter, which manufactured the aircraft involved, issued a safety notice over a fault on some of the aircraft.
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