TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular hairdresser who has died.

Michael Gildea died peacefully in hospital on October 17 aged 76 after suffering an illness.

Mr Gildea owned Gildea Hairdressers in Deansgate which was popular with women until it closed in the 1980s.

Cllr Noel Spencer paid tribute to his childhood friend: “We were brought up together from being toddlers, we were great friends.

“He was always there when you needed him and a fantastic friend to all.

“He followed in the footsteps of his father Joe who was also a hairdresser. He was extremely talented in that field.

“Over the course of the last few years the health problems really had an effect on him but he really believed that he was going to get better.”

Mr Gildea was married to Denise and was a father of three, stepfather of two and grandfather of nine.

A celebration of his life was held in St Edmund’s Church and Overdale West Chapel yesterday where people turned up to share memories and stories of him.

His widow, Denise said: “He was a wonderful man and I will miss him tremendously.

“We are all very proud that he helped other people.

“He was a true gentleman and very generous to everyone, he was never judgemental.

“He was an eternal optimist and he would have been proud and surprised at the turnout at his funeral.”

Also paying tribute was Sharon Guy who owns salons in Tonge Fold and Harwood.

She said: “I used to work for Michael as a Saturday girl and then when I left school at 16 I started working there and doing my training. Every Saturday he would go out and get lunch for us all, he was just a really nice guy.

“He was a brilliant boss and I loved working for him. I used to see him from time to time in Morrison’s and he would tell me how chuffed he was that I had my own salon. He was a fabulous man and a fantastic hairdresser, I learnt a lot from him and he definitely spurred me on to set up my own business.

“He was really well liked by everyone and it is very sad that he has died.”