Most people are settling into their second decade of retirement by the age of 80 – but William Foster is only just getting round to joining their ranks for good.
Mr Foster did briefly sample the pensioner’s life when he reached the end of a 43-year career as a telephone engineer.
However, he was lured back into the workforce almost a decade ago when his daughter Ann and her husband Howard Johnson set up Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, based at Laurencekirk.
Mrs Johnson said he had been an invaluable member of the team at the award winning oil and gas company.
“When my parents moved from Manchester to be with us, dad was keen to continue working and he started his role at Blaze,” she explained.
“He actually came out of retirement to manage the refurbishment of our old facility on the outskirts of Stonehaven before we moved in as we were struggling to do the work on the building and concentrate on the business.
“He then helped with the refurbishment at Blaze House before we moved in 2014.
“He has been a dedicated member of the team and has played an integral part in ensuring the building and its grounds have been kept immaculate at all times.
He is loved by all of our staff and will be sorely missed.”
Mr Foster’s colleagues saw him off in style and presented him with a Manchester United match ticket, as well as a corporate day at Brechin football club and a cake.
He is now looking forward to taking life at a slower pace at his home in Fordoun, which he shares with his daughter and son-in-law.
Mr Foster’s time with Blaze has coincided with a successful period for the company, which provides fire safety protection to the oil and gas industry.
Turnover has risen 500% rise since 2010 to £19million this financial year and the firm has set up new offices, including an engineering base in Kemnay, a regional depot in Great Yarmouth and a sales centre in Milton Keynes.
It has also been nominated in two categories for the Elevator Awards 2015, which will take place at the end of June in the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel.
The workforce has grown to 32 full-time members of staff and 67 contractors.
Mr Foster said he had relished his time with the firm.
“I really enjoyed working with the team at Blaze,” he said.
“There have been a number of changes during my time with the company, and being able to watch its continued success has been highly enjoyable.
“I have certainly met some interesting characters over the years, and they definitely helped to keep me feeling young at heart.”