Duncan Currie MacIntyre lived a rich life and his passing has been greeted with sadness throughout the north-west of Scotland.
A much-travelled “lad o’ pairts”, he was born in 1943 in Campbeltown and passed away on July 5 this month, having recently stepped down from his role as councillor for the Oban and North Lorn ward of Argyll and Bute Council due to illness.
He was the first child of Mary and Archibald (Baldy) MacIntyre and, following his birth, lived with his parents and grandparents at Lagganbuie, on the shores of Loch Feochan.
The eldest of six children, he was followed by Iain, Catherine, Betty, Mary and Susan.
As a young boy, he moved to Oban with his parents where the family made their home in Miller Road.
He was educated at St Columba’s Primary and then Oban High School.
Upon leaving school, Mr MacIntyre joined MacDonald’s Woollen Mill and the following year, enrolled at Galashiels Borders College to study textiles.
During his time there, he won many prizes and, on his return to MacDonald’s Mill, his efforts were rewarded when he became the production manager.
It was after he had gone back to Oban that he met the love of his life, Rosemary Mackay. They became engaged and subsequently purchased their first home.
That was Lagganbuie, on the shores of Loch Feochan and the man found himself back where he had started off as a child.
They married in Edinburgh and were delighted to welcome a daughter, Fiona Elizabeth and then their son Alexander Currie. Mr MacIntyre was a dedicated family man who ensured Lagganbuie was a beautiful home, replete with love and warmth.
When the mill closed Duncan changed career. He joined the Prudential and quickly became the ‘Man from the Pru’.
He always had a strong interest in politics, so when he took early retirement from the Prudential, it seemed fitting he should combine his interests in people, the area he loved and politics to stand for the council.
During his time as a local councillor for Oban and North Lorn, he was acknowledged for taking hard decisions that always put Oban and the islands first and was recognised for being diplomatic in his approach, a thoughtful representative and, above all, a friend.
He was a member of a diverse range of charities, clubs and groups and offered over 55 years of service to the Oban Camanachd Club.
Although he did not pull on the famous red and black jersey, he showed his unwavering commitment in the roles of committee member, secretary, treasurer, vice-president and finally president.
Mr MacIntyre was a devout Catholic throughout his life and was a well-recognised member of the congregation in St Columba’s Cathedral, while making several pilgrimages.
These included journeys to Iona, Knock and Rome, where he received the sacrament of Holy Communion from Pope John Paul II.
Following his invitation and investiture to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, he achieved a lifelong ambition and made the journey with members of his family to the Holy Land.
His words of wisdom, support and encouragement are not just a loss to his family, but to everyone who met him.
