Former Angus depute provost George Suttie, a well-known figure in many aspects of Forfar life, has died just weeks short of his 100th birthday.
A native of the town, Mr Suttie was a highly respected and popular SNP councillor for several terms and served in the role of depute provost for a decade.
Angus provost Helen Oswald paid tribute on behalf of the authority, describing him as someone who had served the county with “dedication and distinction”.
Mr Suttie was a joiner to trade and in the latter part of his working life was proprietor of Tayside Concrete Precast in Dundee. He retired in the mid-1980s before emerging himself in local government.
His service to the burgh and wider Angus was recognised with accolades including Forfar’s Andrew Smyth community award in 1996.
He was predeceased earlier this year by his wife, May, the couple having married in 1943.
They met when they were both stationed at Preston in Lancashire and wed at Errol kirk near May’s home on the Carse of Gowrie.
Mr Suttie was a keen follower of football and a founder member of the Forfar Boys Club in 1970. He was also an avid supporter of Forfar Albion, for which his son, George, played and was instrumental in the development of club facilities.
He was also an enthusiastic member of Forfar Golf Club and played regularly into his later years, including a highlight of sharing the club’s family foursomes competition win with teenage grandson Jack at the age of almost 90.
Mr Suttie, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in January, is survived by sons, George, from Forfar and Ken, who lives in Australia as well as three grandchildren.
Provost Helen Oswald said: “George will be fondly remembered by elected members, council officers and staff who worked alongside him, and by the many citizens of Angus who he sought to assist, both as a local councillor and as depute provost.
“He served his county with dedication and distinction and was an outstanding example to his councillor colleagues of the time and to those who have followed.
“The thoughts of everyone at Angus Council are with the Suttie family at this time.”