Tributes have been paid to former Renfrewshire councillor Terry Kelly at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council on Thursday 26th February 2026.
Provost Lorraine Cameron led the condolences at the start of the full council meeting in Paisley. She said the council always marks the passing of a former member and described Mr Kelly as a dedicated public servant who served the area for nearly two decades.
“I just want to mention one of our previous councillors who passed away, Councillor Terry Kelly, as we always do when we lose a member of our wee club,” she said.
“Terry was elected in 1999, the same year as I was, and he served until 2017. He was a member of a lot of boards of this council. He served on many appeals boards, commercial operations, planning and development, scrutiny boards, and he was also on several joint boards and committees including the fire and rescue board, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, and the police joint board.”
The Provost said there was one role in particular that Mr Kelly valued highly.
“There was another role that Terry undertook that he actually really valued highly. I know he did because I spoke to him about it many years ago, and that was the Berlin Prison Visiting Committee, and he particularly enjoyed that. I think he felt as if he was doing something really, really worthwhile, although all of his work was worthwhile.”
She also spoke about the personal challenges he faced.
“Terry, I think as you all know, kept ill health for the last several years and also quite sadly lost two of his own children while he was here on the council. So I really want to just acknowledge Terry’s contribution to this council and to send our condolences to his wife and surviving family members.”
Councillor Iain McMillan said he was “very sad” to hear of his former colleague’s death.
“Very sad news to hear that he had passed away and, as you say, had not kept the best of health in recent years. Unfortunately, again as you say, losing two children took its toll on Terry. Very, very sad for him.”
He said that despite those difficulties, Mr Kelly kept his sense of humour and strong work ethic.
“But despite that, Terry had a fantastic sense of humour. He was hardworking, very popular down in Ferguslie and in the ward that he covered. As you say, the Berlin thing was something he was particularly proud of, of his work in there. He always seen the people in there as human beings who had maybe had a raw deal at the start of their life and that’s probably why they ended up there.”
Photo: Terry Kelly
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Councillor McMillan also reflected on his role within the Renfrewshire Labour group.
“He was the whip of the Labour group, which he dealt with very sensitively and with a great sense of humour. He was a terrific guy, Terry, and I sat beside him in the council for a long number of years. When he came in on a Monday it was obviously talking about the football, what happened at the weekend. But Terry had a great interest in lots of things – films, music, theatre, books. He was quite a smart guy and quite a cultured guy.
“He could be sometimes quite aggressive in the chamber, but as soon as he walked out this door he was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.”
Councillor Eddie Devine said he had known Mr Kelly for most of his life.
“I’ve known Terry since the 1950s – that’s the 1950s, not the 1850s. We’ve been friends for years. The Kellys are a well-known family in Glenburn.”
He added: “Terry never changed. He just said what he thought, and I reckon that was what he should be saying in here. I’m going to miss him. I think quite a few will miss him. The one thing about Terry is Terry never changed. He was always a real Labour man.
“He didn’t care what you done or who you were. He treated you like a real person and he tried to help. That was Terry Kelly.”
Councillors were told that Mr Kelly’s funeral will take place in the coming weeks.
The Provost closed the tributes by again extending sympathy to his family on behalf of the council.