Prestwick entertainer 'Stan The Man' Breingan passes away aged 88

One of Prestwick's best known characters will be laid to rest next week after passing away at the age of 88.

Stanley Breingan - affectionally referred to by locals as "Stan the Man" - was a father of 11 children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was also a talented jazz musician, ice hockey player and coach, and a retired chartered surveyor.

Son Kristian said: "He was a real character who made people smile and laugh. Dad was just was full of humour and a great entertainer."

We told back in 2008 how Stan, at the grand old age of 72, had landed an international music deal after being spotted by talent scouts in France. As a pensioner pianist, he had secured the Euro gigs after a promoter heard a rough copy of his CD. It marked the re-launch of Stan’s career in his twilight years after he won the Scottish Jazz Band championship in 1956 with his band, The Stateside Jazzmen.

Stan could regularly be found playing the piano at the Grain Exchange in Ayr right up to his death and was a hugely respected figure in the world of ice hockey, having played for the Paisley Piranhas, an over 50s ice hockey team. Stan also coached the youth teams at South Ayr Juniors and both played and coached for almost 60 years, with regular sessions at Limekiln Road in Ayr.

More recently, he appeared on Channel 4 hit show "The Piano", which aired last year from Glasgow Central Station and featured Claudia Winkleman as presenter and Mika and Lang Lang as the judges. Stan wowed the judges with his performance and typical humour during the episode.

His funeral will take place on Thursday, May 23 at 10:30am in St. Nicholas Parish Church, Prestwick.

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