A family have paid tribute to a “gentle giant” who was “loved throughout Scunthorpe” following his sudden death aged 64.
Dad-of-six and grandad-of-eight John McClintock passed away at home on Tuesday, December 17, leaving behind devoted wife Pat, children Tracey, Catherine, Jane, Lucy, Jade and John, sons-in-law Jon, Lewis and Martyn and grandchildren Ceirion, Amber, Rhys, Flick, Jack, George, Denis and Ollie, as well as many more family, friends and colleagues who loved him.
Council worker John, who was born in Glasgow, was renowned for his “loud character” and had established many of his friendships through playing pool at Showmans Sports Bar on Pavilion Row.
He decided to move his life from Scotland to Scunthorpe when he met the love of his life Pat in 1986 whilst he was in the area visiting his sister.
Speaking to Scunthorpe Live about the chance encounter, John’s daughter Catherine said: “Back in the day when my mum and her friends used to go to Lord Bobs, my dad had just come down from Scotland and was staying with his sister. My mum clocked eyes with him on a night out and he invited her to go to Garbo’s and they hit it off straight away. They were together from then.
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“He was always dancing, although I’m not sure if he was any good back in the day. He was a bit of a dad dancer as he got older, and he liked to dance to ‘So Macho’, which he thought he was brilliant at. He was just the best.
“Not many people could understand him because of his broad Glaswegian accent, so my husband struggled sometimes – he just used to nod and smile at him.
“Growing up, he was the loveable, non-strict one. You could get away with anything with him. Everyone called him a gorilla because he was a real big, hairy guy – but he was the gentlest guy you could ever meet. He loved being a dad, and as the grandkids came along, he loved being a grandad even more.
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“His youngest granddaughter had him wrapped around her little finger – he’d go to Aldi every week and would always come out with a present from the middle aisle for her.”
John’s son-in-law Lewis said: “He was a really loved guy through Scunthorpe. If you needed anyone or anything, he had a mate. He was a real jack of all trades and was always ready to help. He was a massive snooker and pool fan and represented a team with his son-in-law Jon, so a lot of people know him from frequenting Showmans.
“He was a very loud character, but a real gentle giant.”
John’s funeral will take place at 11.20am on Wednesday, January 22 at Woodlands Crematorium. No dress code. The wake will then be held at the Brumby Hall Social Club on Centenary Way. Family flowers only, but donations can be made in John’s memory to the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance by clicking here, or to the Magic Moments for Autistic Kids charity by clicking here.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
