Tributes flow for Torbay 'big hearted' community champion Andy, 61

Tributes have flowed for one of Torbay’s most popular community champions who has died at the age of 61.

Andy Uglow passed away with his family beside him at his home in Torquay after a brave, 18-month battle against cancer.

Andy touched the lives of many people from across the community in the Bay and South Devon.

He will be known by many as the cheeky photographer “with a big heart”. His company – Pyramid Torbay Photography – was well established in the Bay and his work was highly thought of. 

His kindness and consideration made an impression on everybody he met and he was  someone who people connected with instantly. It is for his humour that he will be most remembered by many.

Widow Kathy said: “From the moment I met him, we had the most crazy, fantastic whirlwind of madcap adventures – which I will treasure. He was always cracking his jokes and so much fun to be around.

“He was a humble person, but was capable of achieving anything he set his mind to. 

“He was the kindest, most gentle man with a big heart, always happy, smiling and making everyone chuckle at his notoriously bad jokes.”

Andy studied photography at South Devon College and achieved the highest A-level marks in the country. He was accredited by the Master Photographers Association and won many awards for his photography.

Torquay born and bred, Andy was very proud of his home town and his roots in Watcombe. He attended Watcombe Primary School and Audley Park School. In his youth, he played football with Watcombe United, Watcombe Wanderers and Riviera Rangers.

When Andy left school, he worked at Sunshield Blinds and then Torbay Blinds. In 1985, he teamed up with his elder brother, Alan, working as a landscape gardener. 

In 1990, he opened his pet shop in Chelston – Tom & Jerry’s. When Andy closed his business, he spent a year working in Spain before returning to the UK to work in newspaper sales and promotions at the Western Morning News in Plymouth. 

He was an expert on aquarium fish and was invited to set up the aquarium at Styles Garden Centre where he worked until 2000. 

It was then he joined the Herald Express in Torquay as sales distribution manager and, finally, photographer. He went on to set up his own photography studios in Torquay in 2004 which he ran for over 20 years.

In 2003 he met his future wife, Kathy, who was also working at the Herald Express and they were married in 2008 at Gracelands in Memphis. Elvis Presley had always been Andy’s hero.

In 2009, he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Babbacombe and St Marychurch and this enabled him to continue his charity work including major community events such as Babbacombe Fayre, the Pedal Car Grand Prix and the Agatha Christie Fete. 

Many people will remember the hugely popular Proms Nights on Babbacombe Downs in 2012/13 which Andy organised. 

Some highlights of his Rotary years were the Monte Carlo or Bust challenge which raised funds for the Children’s Hospice South West and his skydive in 2014 in aid of the MS Society. 

Fellow Rotarian Steve Holdup said: “It is difficult to find suitable words that define such a loss of such a lovely man – my best mate and a fine Rotarian. A true light has gone out in all of our lives.”

Andy became president of the Torbay Sunrise Rotary Club in 2023 and was awarded the highest accolade by becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also awarded a coveted sapphire PHF in his presidential year.

He will be remembered by many for the Rotary Santa’s Grotto at Fleet Walk as the “magic elf” and, of course, the Move & Groove Festival which he founded in 2023 in conjunction with the SPACE group for those with learning disabilities and autism. 

In later years, Andy expanded his photography career by teaching at SPACE and his students adored him. 

Under his leadership they held exhibitions, produced calendars and photo products. He also led them on many field trips to expand their skills. 

Kathy said: “He was truly inspirational to so many people including his fellow professional photography peers.”

Many people may also remember Andy’s weekly Sunday Love in the Afternoon radio show on Riviera FM where he subjected his guests to the hilarious Mr & Mrs quiz with some outrageous results.

Andy leaves behind four children – Aaron, Louise, Adrian and Kylie – as well as 11 grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.

Kathy said: “He was truly a great man, husband, father, grandfather, friend to all, Rotarian, respected photographer, as well as a mentor to his students at SPACE and an inspiration to all those he came into contact with.”

He will always be remembered for his kindness, fun and humour and in the words of his hero, Elvis, will be “always on our minds”. RIP

The funeral in celebration of Andy’s life will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church in St Marychurch on Wednesday March 19 at 11.30am. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, will be collected in aid of the cancer wards – Turner and Ricky Grant – at Torbay hospital who cared for Andy throughout his illness.