Touching tributes after sudden death
The heartbroken family of a beloved Wishaw husband and dad have paid tribute to him after he passed away suddenly last week.
Long-distance lorry driver Richard Munro, known to friends as Big Stan, died at the age of just 50 while working in Northern Ireland on November 22.
The dad-of-two, married to wife Annette for 26 years, will be laid to rest in the town later this week.
Daughter Chloe, 24, joked her dad was anything but “shy,” with dancing on tables at the end of the night his party piece.
She also thanked Mar-Train Heavy Haulage Ltd, the company Richard worked for, in helping the family get him back to Scotland.
Chloe told the Wishaw Press: “It was a big shock as it happened so suddenly.
“The company my dad worked for have been absolutely incredible and have done absolutely everything to get him back home – we can’t thank them enough.
“It’s fair to say my dad wasn’t shy. He was always the first one on the dancefloor. He loved meeting up with friends and he was well known for dancing on tables – that was his party piece.
“Family and work were everything to my dad.”
Tributes have flooded in for Richard – who lived in Netherton but grew up in Newmains – on social media since his tragic death.
Mar-Train, the company that he worked for, posted: “One of Mar-Train’s legends,
Richard Munro, aka Big Stan, has died suddenly.
“We are in total shock and disbelief. “Thinking of Annette, his family and friends at this very sad time.”
The New Bellside Inn in Cleland posted that the Jardine family and friends of the pub were “broken-hearted” at hearing the “devastating news,” calling Richard a “very close family friend”.
Their post said: “No words can describe how we are all feeling right now.
“Annette, Ryan, Chloe and all other family members are in our thoughts at this extremely difficult and sad time. “Rest easy Stan.”
Chloe admitted that she, mum Annette and big brother Ryan have been overwhelmed by the support from family and friends since her dad’s passing.
She told us : “We’ve had messages from across the country. It’s been pretty incredible.
“With my dad working as a lorry driver, he got to know a lot of different people and we’ve got a big circle of friends, so there’s been so many flowers sent to the house.
“It has been overwhelming. It’s nice to know everyone thought so much of my dad and are thinking of us all.”
Richard’s funeral will take place at Thornlie Funeral Home, Caledonian Road, Wishaw at 8.30am on Saturday, with a service afterwards at Daldowie Crematorium.
Annette and the family would like to thank everyone for cards, flowers, and all the messages they have received at this very difficult time.