Former teacher and football coach Giovanni Pacione

Giovanni Mario Pacione, a well-known figure in teaching, football and legal circles in Dundee, has died.

Known in the city as Jack, he was born in 1935, the youngest of a family of 13.

Mr Pacione was educated at Lawside Academy where he met his future wife Rosemary, followed by two years of national service, before training as a PE teacher.

After graduation, Mr Pacione returned to Lawside in the early 1960s, moving with the school to its new location on the fringes of Ardler.

He remained there teaching guidance and anatomy, physiology and health, alongside his PE duties, until his retiral from the profession.

Mr Pacione’s brothers Emilio and Sid both played professional football, for Dundee United and Hibs respectively, but it was as a coach Mr Pacione would excel.

In the 1960s, as coach of Lochee Renton, he masterminded two Scottish Juvenile cup successes, in 1964-65 against Arbroath Sports Club and 1966-67 versus Rutherglen.

Renton were the first Dundee team to bring the national trophy back to the city.

During his spell with Lochee United his club won numerous local trophies, including the Courier Cup and the Currie Cup, and in 1968-69 the Dundee Junior League.

As a teacher Mr Pacione raised funds to send sick children to Lourdes. Outside of teaching he was a member of the local Catenians, and became a justice of the peace in the 1980s and 1990s.

After retiring, he and Rosemary moved to Stratford-upon-Avon, where he passed away earlier this month.

Mr Pacione is survived by Rosemary, son John and daughter Elizabeth.

Giovanni Pacione excelled as a football coach in Dundee.