Tributes have flooded in for a long-standing Lanarkshire councillor who sadly passed away this week.
Former Hamilton councillor Joe Lowe served communities for over 40 years before deciding not to stand again at last year's local council elections.
He was remembered as an exemplary representative who always put his constituents first as fellow politicians paid their respects.
Joe was a member of Labour before latterly standing as an independent.
Council Leader Joe Fagan told Lanarkshire Live: “Joe was always on the side of his local community and fought tirelessly over many decades to improve their lives.
“He was first elected to Hamilton District Council in 1980 and served as a local councillor ever year since then, before deciding not to stand again at the last council elections in May 2022.
“Joe served as Convener and Vice Convener of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Joint Board and was always happy to help colleagues with his words of wisdom and experience.
“He will be sadly missed, and my thoughts go to all his family and friends.”
South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper also paid tribute to the veteran politician.
She added: “Joe was a close colleague of mine when I was first elected in the Labour Group and then latterly with the Independent Group.
“He was never afraid to tell you his opinion on any matter, but his main priorities were always for his local constituents and doing the very best he could for them.
“His experience was a real loss when he decided not to stand at the last council elections, and I was sorry to hear of his sad passing.
“My condolences to his family and friends.”
Now MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, Angela Crawley also represented Joe's ward of Hamilton South when she was a councillor.
She said: "I am saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He dedicated much of his life to serving his constituents in Hamilton and was a big loss to local politics when he stood down last year for a well-earned retirement.
"Joe and I represented the Hamilton South ward after I was first elected to South Lanarkshire Council in 2012. He worked hard for his constituents and was a big part of life in Hamilton."
Joe was also a trustee of Lanarkshire charity Kilbryde Hospice and played a key role in delivering their complex in East Kilbride.
Kilbryde Hospice posted: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that one of our trustees, Joe Lowe, has died after a short illness.
"Joe supported the Kilbryde Hospice appeal from its outset in 2001 and became a trustee in 2013. During his time with Kilbryde, he played a key role in the delivery of our 12-bed hospice building here in East Kilbride.
"Joe was a great advocate of all things Kilbryde. One of his greatest strengths was knowing the right people and having the persuasive skills to get them to help the hospice.
"Joe was also well known and loved by all our staff across the hospice, and the fundraisers renamed him 'JLo', which always brought a smile to his face knowing he was part of the team.
"Joe was always on hand to help raise funds. He could always raise a smile with his comical antics, particularly at the Eddlewood Bowling Club with our photograph showing Joe with his infectious smile.
"Joe made a massive contribution to our work at Kilbryde over his time as a trustee. He understood very clearly why our care matters and brought great compassion to his role. He was a real champion for our work, and his memory will always remain at the heart of the hospice."
And fellow South Lanarkshire councillor Richard Nelson said: "Today I heard the sad news of the passing of Retired Councillor Joe Lowe. Joe was a gent in every sense and he represented his ward (Hamilton South) with distinction.
"We may never have always agreed on politics, but one thing for sure was he always treated you the same way. GBNF, rest easy, my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Joe's family."
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