Tributes paid to popular businessman

Councillor Craig Martin, leader of the Labour-led administration said: “Joe was one of the nicest and most accommodating men you could meet, a true Mariner. As a Labour councillor he was tireless in his efforts to help his constituents, always contributed at meetings and was a very active team player. I had a lot of respect for Joe and the work he did for Camelon.”

SNP veteran Councillor David Alexander added: “As SNP Group leader I got to know Joe. He was a decent man and will be missed. He had the interests of his community at heart and never allowed party politics to get in the way of representing the people he was elected to serve. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Joe Lemetti was elected to Falkirk South Ward in 2007. The popular chip shop owner, also the biggest supporter of the community’s annual Mariner’s Day, served until 2012.

He is survived by his wife, Janet, and two daughters.