A former chief of the Labour group has described the late Jim Sheridan as a "rock" and "gentleman" in a transferring tribute to his buddy.
Councillor Eddie Devine had identified the 69-year-old, who was an MP for the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, which was beforehand referred to as Renfrewshire West, from 2001 to 2015, for "properly over 20 years".
He appointed him as his depute in June 2019 throughout Sheridan's second stint as a councillor when he represented the Houston, Crosslee and Linwood ward.
Councillors have been knowledgeable of Sheridan's passing following a interval of sickness in an electronic mail from council chief government Alan Russell on Friday.
Requested for his lasting reminiscences of his colleague and buddy, Councillor Devine mentioned: "He was a real Labour man, who by no means deviated from what the Labour Occasion was fashioned to do and be. Jim was straight down the road with that.
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"The Labour Occasion have been there to work for the individuals who supported Labour. Even when he grew to become an MP, he was nonetheless the identical.
"Jim and I used to satisfy each Friday for a espresso and we might put the world to rights.
"He was properly appreciated. Even amongst political opponents, folks appreciated him as a result of they knew he was a real man.
"We have been superb buddies. I could not categorical sufficient how useful he was to me when he grew to become the depute chief of the group. He was immense.
"His data of how issues labored and who you could possibly communicate to was immense. That was as a result of he was properly linked and appreciated by folks.
"We had a whole lot of laborious instances within the Labour group and Jim was a rock for me. I could not say something higher than that. He was a rock.
"He made me take into consideration how I might get issues proper and make issues higher for folks.
"I can not describe how a lot I miss him as a result of even now I am sitting right here and considering, how am I going to face subsequent Tuesday for his funeral? It is simply going to be very, very laborious. He was an excellent man and a gentleman."
Sheridan first served on Renfrewshire Council in 1999, representing the previous Erskine Central ward.
Earlier than coming into politics he labored in shipyards from 1970 to 1978 then as a printer for the Paisley Every day Categorical from 1978 to 1984.
He retired from the Labour get together in March after 40 years with the organisation.
Tributes have additionally been shared by others who knew him, together with former MSP Neil Findlay, who tweeted: "Gutted to study of former MP Jim Sheridan’s passing - an excellent buddy and socialist - relaxation in energy comrade."
Katy Clark, Labour MSP for the West of Scotland area, additionally shared on social media: "Very unhappy information that former Labour MP and Unite the union activist Jim Sheridan has handed away.
"My deepest condolences to Jean, and all his household and buddies. You'll be missed comrade."
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