One of the most recognisable figures in the Plymouth community has sadly died at the age of 78.

Scott Moy was well known for travelling around the city in his trademark mobility scooter and wide–brimmed hat.

He transformed his vehicle into a Halloween or Christmas show–on–wheels every year, complete with flashing baubles, music and toys to entertain the children in Stonehouse, where he lived.

“He came across as a bit of a bolshy tough guy, but it was all a show,” said son Sean. “He loved his family, his grandkids, his kids.

“Every year he would ask for my help setting up the scooter. He was very independent, he wanted me to do the difficult bits.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Moy
Tributes have been paid to Mr Moy

“It would only be June, but that’s when he would start preparing, Halloween would be March/ April. He just wanted it ready. His health was so bad, even putting it all on exhausted him, but he’d always say: ‘I’m just going to do it this year.’”

Scott, a former Army corporal, had also built up a reputation for his humorous, divisive and, sometimes, not entirely politically–correct letters on the Your Say pages over the years.

“It started because he saw something he didn’t agree with, so he wrote in,” Sean said.

“I remember him telling me it had been published and then it escalated from there, so The Herald is to blame for his prolific writing! He had an A4 book that he kept all the cuttings in. My son and I read it on the day he died and we were in tears about some of the things he wrote, they were just so funny.”

Scott tackled a range of subjects from labelling seagulls as “flying freaks” in need of culling, wearing jeans to the theatre, and more recently called veganism “codswallop”.

Scott Moy was well–known for travelling around the city in his trademark mobility scooter
Scott Moy was well–known for travelling around the city in his trademark mobility scooter

The father–of–five, grandfather to seven and great grandfather of four first came to Plymouth in the Sixties. He moved up North and returned around 20 years ago with son Sean.

Scott was in the army almost 12 years under the Prince of Wales regiment and served abroad including two tours of Aden (then South Arabia now part of Yemen) and time in Gibraltar.

“He was very proud of his army days,” said Sean.

“After that he was a lifeguard in a swimming pools, then he was in demolition, and then a park ranger.”

In his fifties, Scott fell awkwardly in his garden and broke is tibia and fibia landing him in a cast for several months and his mobility was seriously reduced making him increasingly reliant on his faithful scooter, which he loved to travel around Plymouth on.

“I’m surprised by how many people knew him,” Sean said.

Scott Moy on his mobility scooter decorated with Halloween lights and music
Scott Moy on his mobility scooter decorated with Halloween lights and music

“I’ve been to the potato stall in town and they asked for details of the funeral because so many people have been asking about it. Dad used to run errands for them, get them butter. He loved doing things for people — he was selfless to a fault.

“A lot of people say people would give you their last pound, but he actually would.”

Just two days before a heart attack led to his death, Scott was asking Sean to take care of unsent cards for loved ones.

“He told me there were four birthday cards in the bottom drawer where I sit and could I send them out,” Sean said.

“I did that, I’ve done everything he wished. I didn’t write in them, I just put them in an envelope with a £10 scratch card like he wanted. That demonstrates the type of person he was. He left me all the scooter toys to give to the grandkids. Right to the end he thought of other people.”

Scott Moy has died at the age of 78
Scott Moy has died at the age of 78

Scott’s funeral will take place on February 15 at Ford Park Cemetery Chapel. Family flowers only and donations in memory can be made to The Veterans Association UK via retiring collection or C/O Knapman Family Independent Funeral Directors, 01752 603552.