A daughter and wife have paid tribute to their Leith-born father and husband who was always the “life and soul” of any room he entered after he sadly lost his life to invasive Strep A.
Daughter Alana Slater spoke of the immense loss that her family felt after Hibee-daft dad, John Slater, 68, passed away on December 5 2022. John had sadly taken ill with invasive Strep A after returning from a family holiday. He had to seek assistance while feeling breathless at his London Gatwick hotel.
He was rushed to hospital in East Surrey where unfortunately his condition deteriorated suddenly and sepsis began to kick in. He was placed on an IV drip and put on antibiotics while having kidney dialysis but tragically died less than 24 hours later.
READ MORE: Devoted East Lothian GP 'to be sorely missed' as he retires after 34 years
John was born in Edinburgh and grew up in Pirniefield Bank, Leith, becoming a diehard Hibs supporter. As a result the family are asking for fans to pay tribute to him during the 68th minute of their game against Hearts this weekend with a round of applause.
They say it would have meant the world to him as he would regularly come back to Leith from his new home in Jersey prior to the pandemic to cheer on the Cabbage and Ribs.
On the loss of her father and reminiscing about his life, wife Sandy Slater, 67, who was by his side when he passed away, said: “John grew up in Leith and attended David Kilpatrick School. He spent his younger years around his family, with his aunties, uncles and cousins - Christine, Brian, Norma, Jacqueline and Elaine.
“They used to love their Saturday nights which were always a party with a sing-song going on. Growing up at Pirniefield Bank, he would always be out playing with the other kids in the area but he was inseparable from his pal Peem who he grew up as a teen alongside.
“From his first marriage he had two children Samara and John, as well as three grandchildren, Ellie Megan and Lewis whom he thought the world of. John was very close with his parents, Ella and Jacky, as well as his brother Paul and best friends Bruce Mitchell, John Mchendry and Peem.
“It was after his break up with his first wife that John and Bruce decided to go on an adventure down to England. On their way down they ended up in the middle of a roundabout and where they left the car for the evening.
“They spent time working in bars before getting a ferry across to Jersey which is where we met. It was 1979 in the Top Hat nightclub.
“We met again shortly after and I remember him telling me that he was a ‘transparent wall maintenance engineer.’ I hadn’t a clue what that was until he later revealed it was a window cleaner.
“In 1989 we decided to get married in Cambridge which was a small affair and in 1991 we had our darling daughter Alana. Alana is the love of his life and their friendship and the sense of fun they had was amazing to see.
“He left her with his legacy for the passion and love of his team Hibernian as well as Rod Stewart who was his idol. He would sing with any chance he could get.”
John cleaned windows on the island of Jersey and was known for his kind character, often stopping to share a cuppa and a biscuit to listen to clients' stories.
He then took a driving test for his PSV to become a taxi driver where he once took a guitar off of someone for payment for a fare. He was said to practise on it all the time whilst making a right racket in the house.
He later became a bus driver in 2007 where he was famous for having an ability to calm the rowdy youths. John was also known for his active and adventurous lifestyle playing several sports, scuba diving and fishing on a boat he had purchased - not to mention the Spanish classes he and his wife would attend and often disrupt like misbehaving teens.
The family also enjoyed holidays to Asia and Europe where they had many happy memories together. In 2000, his wife Sandy remembers the couple buying a puppy named “Hibby” whom they took everywhere, whether it was for a window cleaning shift or long walks on the beach.
In 2019 his newest grandchild Charlie was born. Sandy says that John's love for him was immeasurable and that they played all sorts of games and had precious time together, especially when John picked him up from nursery.
Paying tribute to her father, daughter Alanna, 31, says that Charlie was her dad’s shadow and would go everywhere with him. She added that John would come home regularly to attend Hibs games and meet up with friends and family back in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
She says that the happiest day of his life was getting to see Hibs lift their first Scottish Cup in over 100 years.
She added: “Dad was my whole entire world, my best friend and the most caring father you could ever ask for. He was tragically taken from us far too soon and he will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him.
“The funeral which was held yesterday (January 19) was beautiful and I hope I made him proud. The crematorium was almost double the capacity which shows how loved dad was, I am just so proud to call him my dad.
“Dad was a lifelong Hibs fan, and this meant that I am also Hibs daft as is his grandson Charlie. He was lucky enough to be at the big game on May 21 2016. It would be an honour if an applause could be arranged during the 68th minute for my dad this Sunday.”
A service took place at Jersey Crematorium on January 19.
John is survived by his wife Sandy, kids Samara, John and Alana as well as four grandchildren.
READ NEXT:
Inside the Edinburgh canal boat transformed into a luxury floating boutique hotel
Edinburgh police seize plush BMW after foot patrol on city street
Edinburgh Ryanair passenger threw tantrum over food and threw wedding ring at wife
Edinburgh police hunt VW Golf and Ford Focus after attempted murder of young man
The Edinburgh pubs, restaurants, shops and breweries we said goodbye to in 2022
