THE FAMILY of a popular singer and compere from Tonge Moor have paid tribute to the man who “made everyone laugh”.

Stan Kay died at his home on Sunday, July 1, aged 74, after living in the area for nearly all of his life and working as a compere in Tonge Moor Conservative Club for many years.

The former bricklayer was married to Christine, aged 73, for 56 years, and had four children, Tony, aged 55, Alan, aged 54, Neil, aged 49, and the late Paul, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was known by many in the local area for his bright coloured suits and shoes, and his friendly, positive demeanour.

In a joint statement, the family said they wanted attendees at his funeral, held today at 11.30am at Heaton Cemetery, to dress in bright colours similar to the pink, yellow and white suits Mr Kay often wore in his compere role.

They said: “He wasn’t a sad person, he made everyone laugh, every person he met. He was a wonderful man.

“Once you met him you never forget him. He was the kind of person who could go on holiday to Spain and speak to people who didn’t speak English and they would get on and understand each other and laugh.”

Both Mr Kay and his wife Christine, who worked as a bookkeeper, moved to Ibiza in the early 2000s where he continued to sing and present, although the pair moved back to Bolton four years ago to help him deal with symptoms of the lung disease COPD.

Unfortunately, having been in and out of hospital with other conditions, doctors found that he had protracted terminal spinal cancer.

Mr Kay took his compering responsibilities very seriously and could often be seen entertaining elderly people at retirement homes and doing karaoke across Tonge Moor, especially at the Conservative Club, where he had many friends.

Following his funeral, anyone who knew him is invited to join the family at the club from 2.30pm, where mourners will get together to celebrate his life and a karaoke night will be held in his memory.

Any money donated to the family will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.