The city of Aberdeen is mourning the passing of one of its most charismatic, outgoing and respected citizens who died suddenly last weekend.
David McDonald (74) was a well-kent figure in the city where he born, brought up, educated and worked, although he did spend time in the hospitality industry in Shetland in the early 1970s.
Born in Caledonia Place on February 4 1949, David, or Dave as he was generally called, attended Ferryhill Primary School before going on to Aberdeen Grammar School and then Aberdeen College of Education where he qualified as a primary school teacher.
Shetland
He then taught at Smithfield Primary School before the lure of the oil industry attracted him to running a pub in Sullom Voe.
On his return to Aberdeen, he used his considerable people skills and love of sports of all kinds in a leisure and recreation post with the council, excelling in the popular game, It’s a Knock Out, and raising thousands of pounds for local charities.
All the while his great interest and involvement in his rugby was taking up more and more of his busy schedule, leading to him becoming president of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby Club from 1994 to 1997 at a time when the Rubislaw-based club was making its way in the national leagues.
Sports promotion
His involvement in the game led to him taking a key role in the promotion of rugby for veterans, resulting in him becoming a senior executive of the worldwide organisation, the Golden Oldies and its development in numerous countries.
In 2000, a dramatic decline in his health led to him having a leg amputated, but undeterred, he continued to be involved in a range of fundraising enterprises, all in the company of his loving wife Katie who sadly died in 2020 but not before Dave had lost a second leg in 2018.
He remained active after this double blow, still managing to get the occasional glass of beer at a hostelry near to the care home in Balnagask Road where he was resident.
According to his cousin, Colin Simpson, he was known to advise the care home staff on administrative matters, while regaling them with his tales of yesteryear.
His last public venture was to address the annual meeting of Aberdeenshire Cricket Club from his wheelchair on an enterprise which would promote petanque at Mannofield.
Dave McDonald was a one off, larger-than-life character who touched the lives of many in his beloved city of Aberdeen where he made a lasting impact with his desire to make things better, and all with his warm, inimitable sense of humour.
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