MERRYLEE community members are set to line the streets on Friday to pay their respects to a “well-loved” janitor.

Tributes poured in for “the best janny there ever was”, Ian McKay McAuley, who died suddenly on June 4, aged 76.

Community members were left “heartbroken” by the announcement of his death.

Ian worked at Merrylee Primary School for over 20 years and was “loved by all the kids”.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, his five children, Karen, Jacqueline, Ian, Scott and Kirsty and his thirteen grandchildren.

One of his daughters, Kirsty Muldoon, said he “loved his job”.

“My dad loved being ‘The Janny’ and working at the school,” she wrote in response to the dozens of tributes posted to social media.

She told the Glasgow Times: “Dad knew everyone and never forgot a name.

“He passed suddenly on June 4, aged 76, and will be sadly missed by everyone.”

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A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Ian was a well-loved figure at Merrylee Primary School, and we were sorry to learn of his passing.”

The Merrylee community paid tribute to the 76-year-old on social media who some claimed was “the heart of Merrylee Primary for many years”.

Lesley Best told he played a big part in her kids lives and said: “Ian was truly a one off special man.

“There’s going to be a big Ian shaped gap in Merrylee now.

“Sending condolences to all the family. He will be missed.”

Irene Sutherland, said: “So sorry to hear this sad news. Ian was one of a kind.

“He knew every single pupil, their parents and their grandparents.

“No one had a bad word to say about him. My condolences to all his lovely family.”

Another community member added: “Myself and my boys were really sad to hear about Ian he was a truly lovely kind man who genuinely cared about every single pupil who attended Merrylee Primary.”

Many told of the positive impact the ‘Janny’ Ian had on the youth of Merrylee.

Hannah Fotheringham wrote: “An amazing man who had such a positive impact on all the young people at Merrylee.

“At the age of 23, I still remember and talk about his kind, encouraging and humorous manner.

“Sending you and your family all the love during this difficult time.”

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People are expected to line Merrylee streets on Friday to pay respects to the man as Covid-19 restrictions continue to limit the allowed attendance at funerals.

Another person added that he made all pupils at the school feel welcome, adding that Ian “was a great janny and role model.”

Megan Donaldson paid tribute and said: “He was such an amazing man! He was genuinely loved by all who knew him!

“I am heartbroken by his death all my love to you and your family.”

He will be remembered by Merrylee as a much-loved janny who was always “smiling and telling jokes” who will be “sorely missed”.