Funeral for gangster turned author Paul Ferris takes place in Glasgow

Mourners have paid their final respects to author and former Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris during a funeral service in the city.

The former crime boss died earlier this month at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) aged 62, following a short illness, it is understood.

Family and friends assembled for the funeral, which took place on Monday at Daldowie Crematorium on the outskirts of Glasgow.

A piper guided the cortege as the hearse drove up to the entrance, bearing a coffin decorated with floral arrangements spelling out the words Dad and Legend.

Scottish actor Paul Brannigan and former boxing champion Alex Arthur were among those present to pay their respects.

Music played during the service celebrating the life of Mr Ferris included Wish You Were Here and Coming Back to Life by Pink Floyd, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits, Your Song by Elton John, and I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Mr Ferris turned his back on a life of crime following a period serving time after working as an associate of Arthur “The Godfather” Thompson Sr.

Ferris was cleared of the 1991 murder of his former boss’ son, Arthur “Fat Boy” Thompson Jr.

In 1998, he was convicted of arms trafficking offences following a trial at the Old Bailey in London.

It was while serving his sentence that he co-authored his debut book, The Ferris Conspiracy, with Reg McKay, which was published in 2001.

The autobiographical book was the inspiration for the 2013 gangster film, The Wee Man, starring Martin Compston and John Hannah.

After seeing the film, Mr Ferris :“It was very humbling (to see the film), I thought it was an emotional rollercoaster.

“The best way was to be up front and honest about it.”

The family of Mr Ferris is inviting mourners to make a donation to The Invisibles, an independent group helping homeless people in Glasgow, according to the Naked City Facebook page, where photographer Brian Anderson first shared the news of the death of Mr Ferris.

A post on the page ahead of the service said: “As family and friends prepare to say their final goodbyes, they are asking those who wish to pay their respects to consider a gesture of kindness that could make a real difference to the lives of others.

“The family has chosen to encourage donations to The Invisibles, also known as See The Invisibles, an independent group whose volunteers work to support some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable people.”

It added: “By inviting donations in Paul’s memory his family hopes to turn a time of sadness into an opportunity to help others.”