Special tribute to binman
‘Gentle giant’Scott (52) dies from COVID-19
Ribbons, signs and Rangers scarves and strips were placed on bins throughout part of Perthshire this week to pay tribute to a popular refuse collector who died from COVID-19.
Fifty-two-year-old Scott Hunter passed away on Monday at Ninewells Hospital.
Scott, who lived in Auchterarder, was based at Crieff Recycling Centre and worked on one of the refuse collection shifts serving the likes of Crieff, Comrie and St Fillans.
He was also well known as the licensee at the Pretoria Bar in Crieff.
His family described him as “larger than life” and said he had borne his illness “with great dignity and bravery”.
He leaves behind wife Fiona as well as daughters Gayle and Laura.
He will also be missed by his grandsons Scott (10) and ninemonth-old Aiden, both of whom he doted on.
Laura told the PA the family had been touched by the tributes paid to Scott and she wanted to thank everyone for their support.
She added: “All the kids used to love watching him going past in the bin lorry, they would always be out waving.
“A few people have messaged me about how their kids loved seeing my dad in the lorry.”
Tributes to the popular binman flooded in on social media.
Gillian Brock, vice-chair of Comrie Community Council, said: “He was our bubbly, funloving, gentle giant of a refuse driver for many years in Comrie.
“Such a character, he was always smiling, waving and, at times, cheeky, which we loved.”
Ruth Graham, from St Fillans, commented: “He was an absolute gem of a man and an absolute hero to my son in his early years. He waved to us every Thursday and my son even had a bin lorry toy which ‘Scott’ drove.”
It is understood at least one other worker at the depot also tested positive for COVID-19.
A council spokesperson said: “A small number of other workers – fewer than three – have also tested positive for COVID-19 and we wish them well with their recovery.”
Such a character, he was always, smiling, waving and, at times, cheeky, which we loved Gillian Brock