Obituary: Mr Hugh C Stevenson: 10th April 1917 – 25th April 2010

Mr Hugh Stevenson, an Ayr man and a former Councillor on Ayr Burgh Council, has passed away at the age of ninety three after a short illness.

Mr Stevenson was born in Kyle Street Ayr and was one of ten children. As a child of six years of age he was out delivering milk and grew up during the depression years.

This was followed by a job in a local dairy.

Eventually Mr Stevenson set up his own business, STAG Fireplaces, which became a well known concern for many years in Main Street, Ayr.

A member of the Labour Party all his adult life, he became a Councillor for the Sixth Ward (Braehead, Whitletts, Dalmilling) in 1966 and served on Ayr Burgh Council until the formation of Strathclyde Regional Council in 1975. He served as a Police Judge and he remained a Justice of the Peace after he completed his Council service. He was scrupulous in all his dealings whilst in public life always remembering the responsibilities of office.

Mr and Mrs Stevenson welcomed overseas students in to their home over a nine year period while they were studying at Ayr College and treated them as members of the family. Many remained in touch long after they had returned to their own country.

Mr Stevenson was an extremely literate and well read man although mainly self taught.

His main interest was social history and he remained an articulate and passionate advocate of social issues throughout his ninety three years.

One of the many unsung heroes who dedicated themselves to the cause of Labour and his community, his contemporaries included Sir Charles O'Halloran, James Collins, James Peterkin and John Keagins.

Mr Stevenson remained active into old age and regularly went walking until a few weeks before he went in to hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Fay, and the rest of the family and will be greatly missed.

Sandra Osborne MP