Much-loved husband, dad, grandfather and friend, Gordon McAllister of Fraserburgh Running Club, has died aged 68.
Born in the Broch on December 18, 1953 Gordon was one of four children of George McAllister and his wife Mary.
A pupil of Fraserburgh North School and then the town’s Academy, like many of his peers he left school as early as he could starting as a butcher’s assistant. However, shortly after he was offered a job in the fishing industry.
On the boats
Gordon began on white fish and prawn boats serving as a deckhand on a number of vessels before moving into the pelagic side.
Like most fisherman, Gordon experienced first-hand the more dangerous side of working on the rough waters of the North Sea. He told many tales from his time as boat’s diver, including coming face-to-face with an orca while untangling a fishing net. And seeing the wheel house almost peeled off the boat in gale force winds.
In his 40s as the fishing industry consolidated vessels, Gordon headed off to the oil rigs, and the supply vessels that serviced them. He worked for the last seven years for Calmac as a DP.
Finding love
Gordon met the love of his life, Linda Kennedy, at a dance in the Fraserburgh British Legion when they were 17.
The couple, who were nearing their Golden Wedding anniversary, were married at Fraserburgh’s Old Parish Church.
Their children describe them as great role models for ‘what being in love and having a great marriage looked like.’
Their first home was Linda’s parent’s ‘back hoose’, before a new house on Assynt Place beckoned.
The McAllister family was added to with the arrival of Barry then Debbie three years later. The family then moved to Broadsea, then to Strichen Road where Linda and Gordon lived together for over 30 years.
Family focussed
Gordon was a great family man, who wanted his children to do well and invested much in them, both in terms of time and finances.
When his son and daughter were younger he often worked away for long periods. However, when he was at home he was a very present dad who loved spending time with his family.
Whether it was a swimming club meet, or athletics and cross-country events up and down the country , if Gordon could be there he would be there.
“Our childhood is full of memories of family picnics with friends at Aden Park, running trips, fun family days out and trips away,” said Barry.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren too, taking them to the beach, the pool and cooking for them. A highlight was always their favourite meal: Granda’s breaded lemon sole.
Gordon loved creating adventure weekends with his three UK-based grandchildren, Sarah, Reuben and Eve, taking them on trips around Scotland.
Love to travel
Gordon and Linda loved to travel and they did this from when the children were really young.
These regular trips abroad were evidenced by the many photo albums created by Linda who loved to be behind the camera and, to the family’s chagrin, often took an age to set up a shot.
Once the children left home, Gordon and Linda continued to travel extensively and latterly would visit Debbie, her husband Chris and their granddaughter Mia, in Sydney.
Those trips were an annual highlight. They loved being there and spending time with Debbie and Chris’s extended family too.
Friendships and family
At home, the couple regularly enjoyed both relaxing and more active hiking weekends away with close friends and relatives.
They completed the West Highland Way, the Rob Roy Trail and bagged a number of Munros.
Debbie said: “Dad was gentle, affectionate, kind and loving.
“He was very practical and could turn his hand to making or fixing anything. Very strong physically, he loved to compete and compare sporting prowess with us all. And he usually won!
“Dad had the most infectious laugh and that is one of the things I will miss the most. I feel blessed to have parents that loved and supported each other as much as mum and dad did, they were a team. I had a wonderful dad.”
Barry added: “My dad was an exceptionally kind and generous man. He didn’t have a lot growing up and worked hard to make sure my sister and I had more than that. He wanted us to go to university – which we both did – and he was very proud of that. And he was a great role model as a father and made his love known. A gentle, no fuss kind of man: Unassuming and private, but great fun too, with a daft sense of humour. Missed terribly.”
Running
When Gordon was younger he used to dive and play golf. After years of watching his children compete in athletics competitions he also took up running himself. This became his passion.
A keen member of Fraserburgh Running Club he completed marathons and was a regular in 10k runs. He could often be seen pounding the pavements around Fraserburgh.
It was when running in Australia, while visiting his daughter, that Gordon passed away. He experienced heart failure, with no prior diagnosis of any issues.
A fit man, both he and Linda exercised daily by running, cycling, swimming and doing strength training.
Tributes
Lisa Allan is Fraserburgh Running Club Chairman.
She said: “Everyone at the running club was shocked and saddened to hear of Gordon’s sudden passing while out in Australia.
“Gordon was a keen runner and had been involved with the club for many years now.
“He was considered a friend and running companion by many, and he will be sorely missed by us all at the club.”
Final farewell
Gordon was cremated in Australia and a small, private family gathering will take place in Fraserburgh at a later date, when Linda returns home.
Donations to the British Heart Foundation would be welcomed instead of flowers.
Linda reflected: “You can’t put into words 50 loving years together. We have loved, laughed, travelled, built a family and had a wonderful life and marriage. We were very lucky. Gordon, you were and are loved. You will be remembered and missed every day.”
He is survived by his wife Linda, his siblings Marion and Georgie, his son Barry and wife Kath, his daughter Debbie and husband Chris, and his four much-loved grandchildren, Sarah, Reuben, Eve and Mia.