Doug Ford, a former champion boxer who became a charity stalwart and Arbroath’s citizen of the year, has died following a brave battle with cancer.
A well-respected figure in the town, Mr Ford – who was also a singer with Arbroath’s Rat Pack – organised countless boxing and musical events for charity, raising around £170,000.
Mr Ford had 25 bouts as a youth boxer, winning a youth title and only losing four times.
He also played amateur and junior football and played in goal for the army at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin while stationed in Germany.
Mr Ford and his brother, the late Davie Ford, founded Arbroath Amateur Boxing Club in 1961 whilst they were both still fighters.
Over the years Mr Ford supported and trained thousands of local youngsters as amateur and charity boxers teaching fitness and discipline along the way.
As a solo singer and as part of Arbroath’s Rat Pack, Mr Ford used his voice for the good of the town and also spent some of his free time visiting the local care homes and having a song and a dance with the residents.
Always a competitive sportsman, he was a keen and successful golfer, and won the James Kirk Trophy, the Co-op Cup, the Four-Ball and the Handicap Cup, all at Elliot Golf Course.
In his time he also had four hole in ones, winning the Sunday Post Putter for one of them.
He served his time as a motor mechanic at the Tower Garage, Keptie Street, before finishing his working life at Halliburtons, firstly in the fitting shop and latterly in production control.
Mr Ford was awarded Arbroath Citizen of the Year in 2006 in recognition of his charity efforts which over the years have also included organising triathlons, sponsored bike runs and It’s a Knockout.
His final performance as a singer was part of Arbroath Rotary Club’s variety show in March which raised money for Ninewells Hospital’s cancer ward amongst other good causes.
Mr Ford was presented with a Local Hero award at Roxburghe House by the organisers of the upcoming Arbroath Festival of Heroes event.
He was asked why he decided to dedicate over half a century to the Arbroath community.
Mr Ford replied: “Because I wanted to”.
He is survived by his son Mark, daughter-in-law Eleanor and grandchildren Daniel and Gemma.
