Tributes paid to former Falkirk Herald seller who died aged 52

Ian Irvine, who sold copies of The Falkirk Herald as a boy, passed away on Sunday, November 22 with coronavirus listed as the official cause of his death.

Mr Irvine’s family, including sister Isabel and son Paul (26), were allowed to visit him in Forth Valley Royal Hospital as initial test results showed his illness wasn’t Covid-related.

The news he’d developed the virus and his condition had deteriorated came as a hammer blow to the family, who are struggling to come to terms with the death of a man who was widely known in various circles, most notably as a supporter of Falkirk FC and Free Colliers member.

Isabel said: “Ian was kind and popular. He was a kind-hearted gentleman.

“He was Falkirk FC over and over – he loved his Falkirk Bairns. The club are doing a tribute at the next home game.

“Ian was told he had a cold and went into hospital. He got put in the intensive care ward.

“They said he didn’t have coronavirus and we were allowed to go and see him.

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“He was tested every day and was coming on. He wasn’t speaking but he was awake.

“We thought we were getting him home for Christmas but he took a turn for the worse.

“Because he went in with an infection, it went to his lungs. At the end he didn’t have coronavirus, it was what the virus left him with.

“It’s very scary that it’s out there. Ian was the safest person, he always wore his mask.”

Mr Irvine first started selling The Falkirk Herald at the Falkirk Steeple while still a pupil at the old Woodlands High School.

He also had a round as a milk boy and his family were always proud of his work ethic.

A job as a security guard at a private firm followed his school days – a role that also enabled him to work at the home of his boyhood club when Falkirk Stadium hosted concerts.

Mr Irvine, who was also a brother to Elizabeth and Jim, lived with and helped to take care of his parents in Shieldhill.

A lover of dogs, he would also look after sister Isabel’s pooch, Killin.

His diverse array of hobbies meant he had a wide-ranging group of friends.

Isabel explained: “Ian used to come up and take my dog for a walk.

“He said he came up to see me but he came up to see the dog!

“Even when he was on holiday this year, he used to video call me to see the dog.

“He played in a dominoes team and had a lot of friends from that and friends he’d go on holiday with and drinking partners.

“Then he had the friends from the football bus. He’d go to away games if he wasn’t working because he always did night shift.”

Life-long friend Alexander Ross described Mr Irvine as a “gentle giant”.

He added: “He was always happy and a hard worker.

“He was genuinely a really nice guy.”

A private funeral service will be held for Mr Irvine on December 7.

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