“He just didn’t want to leave me… we loved each other so much.”
These are the heartbreaking words of Karen Forbes, whose husband Ian collapsed on the floor of Kemnay’s Collie Butchers, and later died in hospital.
Hundreds of tributes have now been posted online for the 57-year-old butcher from Westhill, who previously ran his own shop in Tarland.
Ian Forbes: butcher for life
Born on April 12, 1965 in Aberdeen, Ian was one of three children for Tootie and Ian Forbes.
He attended Aboyne Primary then the village academy with his sister Carole and brother Brian.
When he left school and took on an apprenticeship in an Aboyne butcher’s. And aside from a couple of other jobs over the years – one in a meat factory – he was a butcher his whole working life.
In the late 90s he ran his own shop in Tarland. It was later bought out by another company that kept Ian on.
Love in Tarland
Ian thoroughly enjoyed his life in Tarland. Especially when he met Karen Bowman, daughter of the Commercial Hotel’s new owners.
Karen said: “He would come into the pub after work for a drink, and he was also part of the darts team. We became friends and it went from there.”
Ian proposed to Karen during a trip to Germany.
“He was really quite romantic – when he asked me I was really surprised, it came out of the blue. It’s the best decision I ever made. We loved each other so much and were inseparable as much as we could be.”
Working for Morrison’s
The couple were married in New Inn, Ellon on February 11, 2002.
They initially lived in Tarland but in 2001 Ian took a butcher’s job for supermarket chain Morrison’s, on King Street Aberdeen.
He and Karen moved to Westhill and a year later he became butchery manager. Ian also did a short spell at the store’s Banchory branch.
However, in 2020 Ian was made redundant but happily began working for Collie Butchers in Kemnay.
Steven Robertson, the shop’s owner, had been trained as an apprentice by Ian in Tarland.
“That was a lovely thing to happen, and I know Ian was always really proud of Steven,” Karen added.
Tragic events
On Friday, July 1 Ian went to work as usual.
“It was just a normal day. I work early in the morning so was at home when he called me just after 1pm. He phoned me every lunch time. And on Friday there was no indication that anything was wrong.”
However, just after 2pm Ian collapsed on the shop floor.
Situated next door to a medical surgery, two doctors were on the scene quickly.
A trauma team also arrived and a defibrillator was used to try and save Ian.
“It was his heart. He had a small heart attack in November 2020 but since then he was absolutely fine.
“It must have been dreadful for his colleagues and customers, seeing him like that. They worked on him for quite a while.”
Such a shock
Ian was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he later passed away.
Karen added: “He fought for another couple of hours. He just didn’t want to leave me. We loved each other so much. I’m still in shock.”
A celebration of Ian’s life will take place on July 13 at Baldarroch Crematorium.
Karen, who works for Costco, is planning on playing Viva Las Vegas by Elvis, representing their much loved Nevada holidays, and Combine Harvester to mark Ian’s ‘cheeky side.’
“He was just great. He had the best smile and was so gentle. Such a wonderful person.
“I’ve been so touched by all the messages and tributes people have posted online. I just hope he knew how loved and respected he was.”
You can read the family’s announcement here.
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