Alfie Cordiner, who once ran Aberdeen’s much-loved Victoria Restaurant and helped bring evangelist Billy Graham to Pittodrie, has died aged 74.
The Deeside Sunday school teacher and church founder who lived to serve others passed away at home on July 18.
Learning his trade
Alfred John Rollo Cordiner – better known as Alfie – was born on May 19, 1948.
Son of businessman and namesake Alfred Cordiner, and mum Margaret – one of the first female pharmacists in the city – he lived in Aberdeen but moved multiple times.
The youngest of four children, he attended St Margaret’s nursery then Robert Gordon’s College.
He went on to Aberdeen Commercial College and later studied catering and hotel management at Langside College in Glasgow.
With new skills and a passion for serving, he became a trainee at MacVitties, Guest and Co – one of Scotland’s leading catering companies. Based in Edinburgh it provided invaluable experience, including an opportunity to cater for the Royal Highland Show and royal garden parties, one of which the Queen and Prince Philip attended.
He was also on the catering team at the Church of Scotland General Assembly when Harold Wilson spoke.
Victoria Restaurant
Alfie’s time away from home was cut short, however. In 1966 he returned to Aberdeen to help in the family-owned Victoria Restaurant on Union Street.
Above a jewellers, it was a mainstay for theatre-goers in the city, and within a short space of time Alfie was asked to manage the business.
He was the first person within the family to do so, up until then only employees from outside the family had taken the reins of the popular eatery.
Amidst the hard work and popularity of the venue Alfie and his staff did have moments to meet the stars too, as those performing in His Majesty’s Theatre often popped in for food beforehand. These included Eurovision winner Dana, The Krankies, John Denver, Hi-de-Hi’s Ruth Madoc and the star of Dynasty Kate O’Mara.
Faith, hope and love
Alfie met his future wife, Edna Wood, through church when she came to the city to study music.
Both from Christian families, she hailed from Kirkcaldy’s Hebron Hall and Alfie was part of Torry’s Victoria Hall.
During their courtship Alfie would rush to see her in the halls of residence before speeding home in time for his 11pm curfew.
They married in July 1972 in Fife, at Edna’s home church.
Initially they lived in a flat above the restaurant but then moved to St Ronan’s Circle in Peterculter in December 1973, where they remained for 45 years.
Deeside Christian Fellowship
Following an influx of young families from Victoria Hall moving to the Culter and Milltimber area Alfie, Edna and some friends started a new church. Though they began meeting in homes they were then gifted land for a building.
This group later grew to become the still thriving Deeside Christian Fellowship.
On the day the church officially launched, Alfie’s father prayed to open the first meeting.
Sunday School
In 1977 Alfie and Edna started their family with the birth of Gayle. In 1979 Gareth came along, followed by Gemma in 1982.
With a trio of young children and a bustling business it would have been understandable if Alfie had pulled back from church commitments. But instead, he took on more responsibility as a deacon and Sunday School superintendent for more than a decade.
Alfie was also part of the missions committee, which supported the work of local and international missionaries. And he also helped spearhead Billy Graham’s visit to Pittodrie.
Health challenges
In 1998 Alfie had a heart attack. Although it was a challenging recovery and it caused him to give up work in the restaurant, he didn’t retire from helping others.
He took on a role within the Gordon Highlanders museum but after six years he left to head up The ‘Way Trust Gateway at Credo’ project.
Here he trained and inspired volunteers in a cafe setting, for an organisation supporting men and women with difficulty gaining and sustaining employment.
Alfie retired in 2013 at which point he already had some signs of illness.
Holidays and special family outings became a priority.
While most people prefer to receive gifts on their birthdays, Alfie liked to give presents instead.
So on his 68th birthday Alfie he presented his grandchildren with a Mickey Mouse toy each, and announced he was taking everyone to Disneyland Paris.
The big trip took place in 2016, just after he had been diagnosed with Multi-system Atrophy, a rare and degenerative neurological condition.
A race finished well
Alfie took great joy from time spent with his family and friends. Latterly, even his motorised wheelchair was utilised to race the grandkids, and his iPad – which helped him communicate – was enlisted to spell our funny words to gain a laugh or two.
In 2019 Alfie and Edna moved to Binghill Grove, Milltimber.
Gayle Veitch, Alfie’s daughter, said: “My dad coped with his illness with an amazing acceptance and peace which could only be possible due to his strong faith and the loving support of mum.
“He never complained. Even in his final days he would give us a thumbs up whenever we asked how he was doing.”
Alfie passed away at home, on July 18, surrounded by his family, just three days before he and Edna were due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
More than 300 people attended a celebration of his life at Deeside Christian Fellowship on Monday, July 25.
“He ran the race, kept the faith, and finished well. He was just a wonderful man, that many, many people loved.”
You can read the family’s announcement here.
Conversation