Broughty Ferry businessman James Gillies Lornie, has died at the age of 84 after a long illness.
He rose to become managing director of the family furniture and furnishing firm of Gillies of Broughty Ferry and was involved in much of its expansion.
Jimmy Lornie was born on March 23, 1936, the elder son of Archie Lornie and Maisie (nee Gillies). His mother was a director of the family firm.
He attended Grove Primary and then Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry. He left school intending to train as a motor mechanic at the Milton garage in Monifieth but was invited to join the family firm by his uncle, Bailie James Gillies, and his mother.
He joined in 1956 and was quickly involved in all aspects of the business, including funeral undertaking and auctioneering, as well as the growth in furniture, carpets, curtains and gifts sales.
His did his National Service in The Black Watch, which took him to Kenya during the crisis there and to Germany. For most of his life he was a proud wearer of the kilt.
Back in Broughty Ferry, Jimmy became widely known as he rose through the ranks of the company. He became a director in 1962 following the death of his mother and was later appointed managing director in succession to his uncle.
He accumulated a large number of friends and acquaintances and built up a extensive knowledge of the history, development and business of Broughty Ferry. He also acquired wide knowledge of the housing market through the firm’s involvement in show houses.
He retired in 2000 but maintained his lifelong interest in the Ferry.
Jimmy married Helen Brown in 1963. They have one son, Andrew, daughters Jolene and Judith and grandchildren Gregor, Lucy, James and Katherine.
He was a founding member of the Broughty Ferry Traders Association and for many years played an active part, including a year as president.
For several years he was a volunteer in the Royal Observer Corps nuclear early warning bunker at Craigiebarns, a vital and secret part of Cold War civil defence preparations.
He was an active member and past president of Monifieth Probus Club. Other hobbies included golf, bowls and gardening. He developed a knowledge of malt whiskies, with Springbank his favourite dram. Jimmy and Helen travelled widely both abroad and in their beloved Scotland.
Jimmy loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed following the continued success and expansion of Gillies of Broughty Ferry, to which he devoted so much of his life.
