Tributes have been paid to a Glasgow grandfather who sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer earlier this month. Thomas 'Junior' Buist, 70, from Milton, was known for donning the iconic red of Santa during the festive season, however, he also looked to help anyone he could throughout the year
Thomas's step-daughter Michelle Pollock, believes Junior's giving nature is what made him a truly special person, reports Glasgow Live. She said: "He is probably one of the most patient men I've ever met in my life. My mum met him a few years after my father passed away when I was 12.
"He took on seven kids that were grieving, some of them were off the rails, and it was nothing to him. He did everything he could for every single one of us, it was never an issue. He always said that he was sent by my dad to take care of us. He never had flesh and blood kids but somehow he ended up with 18 grandkids."
Former coal worker Thomas always ensured that others were put before himself, despite his illness. Stephanie said: "He never told people he had cancer. He said he didn't care what they said, he was going to get his letter off the king for his 100th birthday.
"It would never occur to him about making anything about him it was always about what he could do for others. He lived in a cul-de-sac and the kids would come running over and he'd hand out sweets. The neighbours would use his jet wash to clean their cars. Nobody would think twice about asking him for anything."
Michelle managed to organise one of the items on Thomas' bucket list last year, when he got on his first ever flight for a foreign holidayShe explained: "The one thing he wanted to do before anything happened was fly. So we took him to Turkey last year and he absolutely loved it, he said he wanted to do more flying.
"We also managed to get him in the pool, he was terrified. Him and my seven-year-old son were in the pool playing together. He just loved every one of his grandkids."
Junior truly came to life during the festive period, when he dressed in full Santa gear to spread cheer to those who need it most. Last December, he was the main attraction at Comfort Zone's grotto in Possilpark, even though he was in poor health.
Families who were in need of a pick me up after a difficult year were invited along to the event. Junior ensured that each child left the room with a smile and the parents with Christmas joy.
Junior told Glasgow Live last December: "It's great when you see the wee one's faces. I love kids and when I get to interact with them it just feels brilliant. I would do this everyday. If they are happy, I'm happy."
Michelle added: "He got so much out of being Santa. Four or five years ago he grew the beard and the kids used to stop him in the street and say 'there's Santa', he just loved it.
"He used to do it for the Milton of Campsie community centre as well. He had the big white hair and white beard, he would never shave so that come Christmas the beard became his crowning glory. You couldn't replace a guy like Junior, he was one in a million."
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