Arthur James Fry was acknowledged as one the north-east’s leading telephone engineers in the latter half of the 20th century.
Mr Fry, who has died at his Ellon home at the age of 97, was part of the communications industry since a teenager.
He became an apprentice with the GPO, aged 17, in 1940 and worked in the industry until he retired in 1988.
By that time he had become special faults investigator with BT.
Although born in Southampton and schooled in London, Mr Fry was happy to claim to be more Scottish than English, having moved to Aberdeen during the war.
He trained at Aberdeen University for flying duties in the RAF.
During his time in the Granite City, he met Rose, and they were married in April 1945.
The seal was thus set for his lasting relationship with the north-east.
After a short spell back in London, the newlyweds came back to the Aberdeen where Arthur took up a post with the GPO before settling in the Ellon area, living in Collieston and Tipperty, and then finally settling down in Ellon itself.
But if he was recalled by many as a top rated engineer, he was equally at home in all things community.
He was a highly successful social convener at the McDonald Golf Club.
Joined by Rose on the dance floor, they were considered to be the class act of many a pleasant night.
He was one of the founder members of the Ellon Supper Club, and president of the Probus Club, and viewed by all who knew him in the town as a warm, friendly and gentle man who had time for everyone, whatever the time or occasion.
His other main interest was Aberdeen FC.
Mr Fry was a season ticket holder and took great pride in being a personal friend of Teddy Scott, also from Ellon, the reserve team coach.
He was also among the 21,000 who packed into Mannofield over two days in September 1948 to watch Sir Donald Bradman say his farewell to cricket and sign-off with a century.
He is survived by his two daughters, Linda and Martha and their families, including grandchildren Suzanne and Sam.
