Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Community stalwart Gordon remembered
Relatives from as far
afield as America were among the family and friends who came together to celebrate the life of former Coatbridge councillor Gordon Encinias.
A new memorial bench honouring the beloved community activist, who passed away in August of last year at the age of 73, was unveiled at the event in Whifflet Park.
Councillor Encinias was elected to office in May 2017 as one of two Labour representatives in the fourmember Coatbridge South ward and served on committees including enterprise and housing, infrastructure and planning.
The local community group organised the special benchunveiling event, which was followed by a reception.
Group spokesman James McGinty said: “We felt it right that something was done to reflect Gordon’s total commitment to his constituents in Coatbridge South – and North Lanarkshire as a whole.
“For many years before he was a councillor his work with many voluntary groups was well known in this area.
“He was just a decent allround guy who gave a lot of his time to help so many people.”
Funding for the memorial bench came from the Local Development Programme.
Matt Costello, community partnership manager, said: “We were pleased to work with the local community group to provide a fitting tribute to a much- loved, and sadly missed, member of the local community.”
Councillor Encinias was well known in Coatbridge prior to taking up elected office as he had previously been chair of Central Coatbridge tenants’ and residents’ association; and also served on the same organisation in Whifflet.