Tributes have been paid to a Rangers-daft Ayr primary school janitor whose former employers branded ‘simply the best’.
Gordon Cuthbert known fondly as ‘Jock the Jannie’ spent 26 years at Kincaidston Primary both as a janitor and a popular football coach before his retirement in 2012.
He passed away surrounded by his family at Ayr Hospital on Saturday, July 9, aged 74 after a short battle with lung disease.
A dad-of-two, great-grandfather of one and grandfather of four, Jock’s family have paid a heartfelt tribute to their dad who was a ‘tiny guy with a huge personality and heart’.
Daughter Carol, 44, says the kind messages from former pupils, staff both past and present and the Kincaidston community have shown the family how loved their dad was.
Jock who was married to wife Samella for 47 years had three loves family, football and Kincaidston – despite living along the road in Craigie.
Carol told Ayrshire Live: “Dad loved his family, he would give you the shirt off his back he was a loving husband to his wife, a great father and doted on his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
“His three loves in life were family, Kincaidston and Rangers.
“Kincaidston always had his heart.
“He had offers to go to other schools but he never wanted to leave Kincaidston, he said the people there were genuine and they looked out for each other.”
Jock was given a fitting send off from the school were he was an integral part of the day to day running.
A special book containing memories, pictures and testimonials to Jock has resurfaced this week, with his family set to read out part of a poem from the book given to Jock on his retirement.
Carol said: “As a janitor he used to wind the kids up, tell funny jokes and steal their lunches, everyone knew him.
"When we used to go on holidays, even if you were in Blackpool people would come up and say 'there's the jannie'.
“To know he was still loved and respected by so many people has been such a support to us.
“I’ve had messages from a current nursery teacher, ex-head teacher, and messages from the deputy head at Kincaidston.
“I said to my son he’s not just my dad and your papa, he was a lot of things to a lot of people.”
Jock even enjoyed a successful stint helping to run the primary school football team where he has been described as a “father figure” to the young players.
David Scobie who coached alongside him has told how the pair took Kincaidston Primary all the way to Ibrox as they reached the semi-finals of the Walkers Cup in 2001.
David said: “That year Kincaidston won everything there was to win in Ayrshire.
“Kincaidston was the smallest team at the Walkers Cup and we reached the last four.
“Me and Jock ran the team for about 11 years, he was an absolutely brilliant person.
“I’ll never forget that day and how much it meant to Jock. He was a season ticket holder at Ibrox, I remember glancing at him a few times, he had a smile on his face the whole time.
“I remember at one point I heard these voices shouting from behind us, it was the late Johnny Hubbard and Joe McGill, they were a great support.
David added: “Jock loved all the kids and the kids loved him.
“He was a father figure to a lot of them.
“He was a rare breed and was an absolute gem of a man and a very good friend.
“He will be sadly missed.”
Jock's funeral will be on Wednesday, July 20 at 11.15am at Ayr crematorium.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
