A former Tayside garage owner and keen member of Barnhill Bowling Club has died. Alastair Johnston was 86.
The great grandfather, who was married to Barbara, was a very well known figure in the Barnhill area.
Bruce, 59, his son, said: “He was the kind of guy who could turn his hand to anything at the garage.
“He repaired cars, boats, motorbikes, vans, Soda Streams and all sort of things over the years.”
Alastair was born in Dundee on April 8 1933 but the family moved to Barnhill when he was just six weeks old.
He attended Grove Academy and, upon leaving school, became an apprentice at his father’s garage in Roseangle.
He then moved to the Angus Garage where he was trained to be a salesman.
In 1953 he was called up to the RAF for two years of National Service. Alastair was based at Dyce and was in charge of motor vehicles for armed forces at the base near Aberdeen.
Upon leaving the military, he moved for five years to the West End Garage, in Broughty Ferry, which is now a Honda garage.
On March 3 1956 Alastair married Barbara Whyte at West Church, in Broughty Ferry.
There then followed a year long spell where he worked from his home on Hamilton Street, in Barnhill.
From December 1 1970 he ran Alastair Johnston Motors, on Fort Street, in Broughty Ferry. He remained in his post running the business until he retired 26 years later.
Upon retirement Alastair joined the Barnhill Bowling Club and he was a regular player at the club.
He still enjoyed holidays with Barbara, including caravaning, and the couple had a round the world trip 23 years ago.
He had two sons – Bruce, who for a spell also entered the garage trade, and Brian – and a daughter Gillian.
He also had five grandchildren Stephanie, Claire, Katie, Craig and Rory. Alastair and Barbara also have two great grandchildren Amelia and Finlay.
His funeral takes place at St Margaret’s Church, on Invermark Terrace, Barnhill, on Wednesday, June 26, at 2pm.
