TRIBUTES have been paid to loving family man and successful and enthusiastic businessman John Kennedy following his sudden death.

The 58-year-old general manager of TRW (formerly Lucas), for whom he had worked since 1979, was a key figure in the regeneration of Burnley where he had lived since 1966.

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Born in Glasgow, he moved the the town at the aged of eight, meeting his wife Sue at school in 1973 and marrying in June 1981.

He moved rapidly up the Lucas and then Global ZF TRW ladder, becoming a global director based in Germany in 2000 and returning to Burnley as boss of Eastern Avenue plant in 2011.

A keen sports fan, he was a season ticket holder at both Glasgow Rangers and the Clarets’ Turf Moor ground.

Father of Charlotte, Jamie and Josh and grandfather of Charley and Archie, he also coached Barrowford Celtic’s under-eight football team.

Andrew McLoughlin. transfer program manager at ZF TRW, said: “Tributes from all over the world continue to pour in for John Kennedy with the sad news of his untimely death.

“Global ZF TRW would like to express our deepest sympathy with his beloved family at this deeply sad time.

“It didn’t take long for John to start rising through our ranks.

“John returned from Germany to TRW Burnley with his typical passion and drive.

“During this period John took a leading role in The Burnley Bond Holders.

“John always had a deep love for Burnley.

“John’s enthusiasm and drive and the downright will to succeed will be hugely missed at ZF TRW not only in Burnley but worldwide.”

Speaking on behalf of the family his son Jamie said: “He was our best friend, our hero.

“He was totally devoted to his family.

“He adored his wife for more than 40 years and gave everything to all of us.

“The hundreds of tributes that have been paid to him tell us just how much he was respected and regarded a s a family man, friend and colleague.

“He was quite simply the best husband, dad, grandad and friend ever.”

His funeral will take place on Friday, June 24, at St Matthews’s Church in Burnley at 2.15 pm, moving on to Burnley Crematorium at 3.40pm then Burnley Football Club’s 1882 Suite.