Paul Ferris' ex-wife Carolyn paid tribute to the notorious underworld figure at his funeral, saying "You are finally free of your demons." Ferris was laid to rest during a service at Daldowie Crematorium in Uddingston, on the outskirts of Glasgow, on Monday morning.
Ferris died aged 62 at University Hospital Ayr on October 6. Medical documents revealed his cause of death was multiple organ failure and alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver.
Hundreds of mourners pay their respects
More than 300 people turned out to support Ferris' five children and his family during the service. Pictures showed crowds dressed in black as a piper led the cortege to the doors of the crematorium. Floral arrangements spelling out the words "legend" and "dad" were seen inside the hearse.
Dozens of flash cars including Mercedes and BMWs were parked on the roads outside as people flocked to pay their respects. Feared ex-UDA commander Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair, ex-world champ boxer Alex Arthur and River City actor Paul Branngian were spotted with their heads bowed.
Tributes from ex-wife Carolyn
Carolyn, who shares three children with Paul, told the Daily Record: "We are still struggling to accept our loss. Paul was a huge part of my life for a very long time, and despite his past, recent speculation and rumours, I am devastated that he is gone and will never see his children grow into the beautiful adults they are fast becoming."
She added: "I will always love Paul for giving me three wonderful children. The only comfort I gain from his passing is that his suffering is finally over." Speaking directly to Paul, she said: "May you rest easy now. You are finally free from your demons."
Service details and personal stories
A humanist celebrant led the hour-long service and introduced himself as Tony Welsh but joked that he wasn't from "that Welsh family" - referencing the family whom Ferris admitted attacking with knives after they bullied him during his childhood in the Blackhill area of Glasgow.
The congregation heard how Ferris loved his children and had led a colourful life. They were told how Ferris started his career "in the jewellery business" after famously being offered £500 to be the getaway driver for a jewellery robbery. He then moved on to work for a local businessman - thought to be a reference to the Godfather Arthur Thompson, whom he became a feared enforcer for at aged just 19.
Mourners were shown a collage of pictures of Ferris with his family to the tune of 'Brothers In Arms' by Dire Straits. Images showed Ferris with his children and other notable figures like ex-Mafia boss Michael Franzese.
The funeral was told how Ferris had his first child with Annemarie McCafferty in 1986 and his second son, Dean, with Sandra Arnott in 1997. In 2008 he married Carolyn Ferris, and they went on to have three children William, John-Paul, and Carolyn Junior before separating.
He had been in a relationship with another woman, Amanda, for the past three years. The service heard how after stretches in prison during the 90s and early 2000s, Ferris was "determined to go straight" and wrote his first of four books. Asking the crowd if Ferris had really gone straight for the last 25 years, the funeral celebrant quipped: "As Paul would say, no comment."
Elton John's Your Song was played as the curtains were drawn. Mr Welsh added Ferris was now back with his parents, and best friends Joe Hanlon and Bobby Glover who were shot dead after the murder of Arthur Thompson Junior in 1991.
