Family’s tribute to ‘kindest, most caring soul’
Heartbroken son makes plea for everyone to take up vaccine offer
The family of Cllr Henry Anderson, who died at the weekend from COVID-19, has paid tribute to the“kindest and most caring, giving soul you could meet”.
And they have urged everyone to get the coronavirus vaccine when it is offered to them.
The 68-year-old representative for Almond and Earn tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago.
Such was his commitment to his ward, he attended a virtual council meeting on December 16 despite suffering from the effects of the pathogen.
He was taken into Ninewells on Sunday, December 20 and was moved to the ICU on Wednesday, December 23 but sadly passed away on Sunday with his family - including wife Shirley - at his side.
Speaking to the PA, his son Scott said he wanted to make sure other families did not suffer the same heartbreak they had.
Cllr Anderson hit the headlines earlier this month with his passionate plea for the people to ignore the sceptics and take the vaccine when it is offered to them.
Paying tribute, Scott said: “On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to say how proud we all are of my dad and all he achieved.
“He fought hard for everything he believed in and was the kindest and most caring, giving soul you could meet.
“My family would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all family and friends, and colleagues, for the love and kind words during what is the worst time of our lives.
“I also want to pass on our respect and thanks to the doctors and nurses of the COVID ward in Ninewells who worked tirelessly to help our loving husband, dad and grandad.
“Two or three weeks ago Dad was in the paper highlighting the importance of the vaccine. I’d also like to highlight it.
“After speaking to the doctors at Ninewells, I see how much strain they’re under. I know they had chats with my dad about the importance of getting the vaccine.
“This virus is real. Dad really, really believed in the vaccine and if he’d had it, this would never have happened.
“This just all happened so quickly. The doctors never gave up on him.
“I don’t want any more families going through what we are going through.”
Scott said his dad was a big music fan, who particularly liked Perth band Mad Ferret.
Cllr Anderson, who was a doting father to Scott and Kathy, as well as grandad to Jordi, had previously worked in the taxi business as owner of Brig Taxis and also worked as a milkman, in the forestry business and as a fencer before being elected to council in 2012.
Scott added: “He loved Bridge of
Earn and loved the people of Bridge of Earn.
“Even those who disagreed with him still had a lot of love and care for him.
“He was one of the hardest working men I have ever known.”
Scott’s sister Kathy said on social media that Sunday was “the day my heart broke forever”.
She added: “My dad really was one in a million, a family guy through and through who has worked hard all his life to support his family.”
Kathy said her dad did not have an easy life in his younger days.
But she added: “His life lately had been a lot more comfortable and easier, he was so looking forward to my mum’s retirement in a few months so they could go touring in their caravan, that has now been cruelly snatched away from them.
“As for his council work, he absolutely loved it. It was his passion.
“He was so proud to be elected to serve Almond and Earn and he just thrived in helping out the Bridge of Earn community. The Brig was in his blood.
“He was the rock of our family and we could always rely on him to take control in difficult situations. I’m so sorry this has happened to you Dad, you don’t deserve this at all, life is so unfair.
“I honestly can’t even imagine what life is going to be like without you Dad.
“My heart is hurting so much, and I’m missing you millions already.”
Dad really, really believed in the vaccine and if he’d had it, this would never have happened