Tributes paid to former Bulwell councillor and shop owner

Tributes have been paid to a former Bulwell councillor who has sadly passed away.

Gerry Davie died on August 18, aged 83, leaving behind his wife, Marion, four children and nine grandchildren.

Gerry owned and ran GMC Newsagents in Highbury Vale, Bulwell, since 1981 with his three sons and even now the shop is still going strong and one of his son’s still helps out the new owners.

Kim Wakefield, Gerry’s daughter, said: “My father had a stroke in 2006 and despite the difficulties that accompanied this he ran for and was voted in as a councillor.

"He was a true blue conservative all his life but despite Bulwell being a staunch labour ward he won.

"People on the doorstep said they would never normally vote Tory but they would vote for Gerry.

"He didn't even know that he would be paid to be a councillor and he never claimed any expenses.

"He always went above and beyond to help people out.

"He even took a wheelbarrow and spade to move some fly tipping on private land that the local authority refused to collect.

"My brother posted about dad’s death on Facebook and within hours there were more than 300 messages of condolences from people saying he was a legend in the community, a top bloke, a true gentleman always willing to help out, lots of people saying Gerry's sweet shop was part of their childhood.

"He would even open up on New Years Day at 5am and as a true Scotsman give out free glasses of Whiskey to his early customers.”

Kim said her dad led a very full and active with a number of different roles before he settled in Nottinghamshire.

Kim said: “He was in the Territorial Army Parachute Regiment and the British Legion will form a guard of honour at his funeral.

"He was an Entrepreneur with some good and some crazy business ventures, he was a keen sailor and was a member of Bulwell Golf Club.

“Because of the coronavirus we can only have a small family funeral but we intend to pause outside his old shop on Highbury Vale so people can applaud him on his way at a social distance.

"We think dad would love some applause.”

A date and time for the funeral is to be confirmed at a later date.

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