Thomas P K Hannah, former Provost of Johnstone; born July 3, 1917, died October 2, 1998

TOM Hannah, known to many as TPK, was born and raised in Greenock Road, Paisley, and

was educated at Paisley Grammar School, which he left, aged 14, to join the family confectionery business

He joined the army in 1939, taking his King's Shilling at St Mirren Recruitment Centre in Paisley, and thereafter serving with the RAOC. While stationed at Portsmouth he met his wife Amy and married in 1942. After the war he rejoined the family business, lived in Barrhead for a short time, and moved to Johnstone in 1950 where he spent the next 48 years.

In 1963 he founded Tom Hannah (Agencies) Ltd, importing and distributing confectionery, starting with a staff of three and growing steadily over the years by installing a manufacturing plant and expanding the business to the current level of 85 employees.

His hard work and sound business acumen laid the foundation for the solid structure of the company which is being continued by the next two generations. He will be remembered in the confectionery industry as a respected and remarkable man who knew all there was to know about the business.

In his early days of living in Johnstone he stood for the town council as an independent candidate and completed 17 years service in that capacity, retiring at the time of local government re-organisation. During this time he served as Provost of Johnstone for three years, as a magistrate, Justice of the Peace, member of the Renfrewshire County Council, convener of most committees at different times, was instrumental in negotiating the construction of Johnstone Swimming Pool, and awarded Freedom of the Burgh of Johnstone.

He was a founder member of Johnstone Rotary Club, introducing the ''Thought for the Day'' and achieving the Paul Harris Award for Fellowship. Johnstone Silver Band and the Phoenix Operatic Society were both enthusiastically supported by him and he was Honorary President of both organisations.

Music was a great source of relaxation and enjoyment, especially the piano which he played well, a half-hour at the piano being as beneficial as a half-hour nap in his busy life. Just a few years ago he appeared on What's My Line with Angela Rippon and on other occasions he took part in Down Your Way and In Town Tonight.

Particularly in earlier years he loved his football, supporting St Mirren at Love Street. It is possibly a little known fact that he and his great friend, Ray Hunter, were initially responsible for the singing of When the Saints Go Marching In at St Mirren matches. In their teens, as avid supporters, they bought the record, took it straight to the manager at the time, Willie Reid, and asked him to play it before the match, at half-time, and after the match. The crowd sang and the players verdict was that ''it made their hearts burst out of their jerseys''.

Tom Hannah was one of a rare breed, a warm, humorous, and exuberant man, who will be very much missed by his family and all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.