A man recognised as one of Fraserburgh’s founding fathers has died at the age of 89.
David McDonald has been credited with establishing and leading several now well-established institutions in the town, and at his funeral this month, hundreds came to say their goodbyes.
Known as Davie to friends and family alike, Fraserburgh-born Mr McDonald became part of the fabric of the port.
He married his wife Betty Duthie in 1951 and together they had five children.
Last night, daughter Karen McKillop said he was always willing to get involved with the community when he could, and was renowned for his rich baritone singing voice.
He joined the Fraserburgh South Church choir at 14 years old which was the start of a lifelong obsession with music and the arts.
Even when he was struggling on an apprentice joiner’s wage, he made the effort to catch the bus to Aberdeen every week to attend evening music classes alongside Betty – herself a talented pianist.
He went on to win the prestigious Aberdeen Music Festival Rose Bowl Award in 1960, performed on the Scottish Home Service radio programmes, and accompanied the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society to Canada.
During the 1940s he joined the Fraserburgh Musical Society where he performed in their Gilbert and Sullivan productions, progressing from chorus to lead roles.
And in 1953, along with his lifetime friend Henry Duthie and others, formed Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society (FJAS) which celebrates their 65th anniversary next year – a voluntary organisation which continues to grow in strength.
Away from singing, his talents extended to the role of musical director and co-producer of pantomimes and variety shows.
The FJAS even initiated a successful community drive in the 1950s to build a public swimming pool in the town.
In 1970, Mr McDonald, alongside wife, founded the town’s first youth choir and the female vocal group Musicale in 1995.
He also worked closely with the town’s heritage society which, in 1984, began campaigning for the creation of a museum to detail the town’s past.
That vision was eventually realised in 1998.
His other love was football, and as a mark of respect the town’s local club flew a flag at half-mast upon news of his death earlier this month.
He is survived today by his wife and children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
