James McGuire
JAMES McGuire, butcher and councillor; born April 24, 1929, died October 31, 1996
EX-PROVOST of Barrhead, Jimmy McGuire, died on Thursday, aged 67. He came from a large family and his political roots were formed during the depression in Barrhead. A butcher to trade, he worked with the Co-op movement all his life; indeed, his shop was often his office, as local people took the chance to tell them their problems while buying their mince.
He was first elected as a Labour Councillor to Barrhead Town Council in 1956 where he held various positions including that of Provost. A member of Renfrew County Council, he was elected to Strathclyde Regional Council in May 1974 where he served for 21 years until reorganisation. During his 22 years with Strathclyde he chaired the Building and Works and DLO Committees. He was also Vice Chair of the Police & Fire and Water & Sewerage Committees, and chaired the Barlinnie Prison Visiting Committee and held
He championed various local voluntary groups including the local Women's Aid movement and one of his greatest loves was Athurlie Football Club. He was a key campaigner for more education provision in the town which led to the opening of three new primary schools and regular school bus runs.
He is fondly remembered by his council colleagues, including former Jim McGuigan who said: ``Jimmy was a very genial man who was proud of his general acceptance across the religious divide. One of his favourite stories was that he could go for a drink in both the Masonic Hall and the Hibernians' Club. He would tell me he always stood by himself in the pub. If a stranger came in and asked him what he wanted to drink, he would say, `I'll have a double whisky and a pint' to which the stranger would reply, `no wonder you're standing on your own'.
``The Jimmy McGuire we all knew and loved was evident at his funeral which was conducted in the Barrhead EU Congregational Church and performed by both the local minister and parish priest. His former colleagues will always fondly remember him as `FFB - the Fellow Frae Borrheid.''
He is survived by his wife, Irene, three daughters, and son.
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