Popular former Dundee city registrar Grant Law has died aged 66.
The Dundee FC fan with a love of Mexico oversaw pioneering changes during his tenure, including live streaming services and offering genealogy services.
Making Dundee home
Edwin Grant Law, son of teachers Geoff and Ella Law, was born in Peterborough on March 28 1957.
Along with his brother the family relocated to Dundee – where his mum came from – when he was six months old.
It was there, in Montague Street, Barnhill, that Edwin was dropped from his name and he was now known as Grant.
From 1962 he attended Eastern Primary School. Always sporty, he had happy memories from his early education.
Working life
Although he was enrolled at Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry, his parents moved to Barry so he ended up at Arbroath High School where he made some of his closest, and most enduring friendships.
In 1975, Grant left school securing a summer job as a driver with engineering firm PPD in Monifieth.
Later that year he started full-time work with the Ministry of Defence at Barry Buddon as a driver and semi-killed labourer.
This was a job Grant loved but in 1977 he moved on to the department of employment – “the brew” as it was known – on Edward Street.
Just two years later Grant took on a new role as an assistant registrar in Dundee.
Finding love
Happy in his new career Grant was on a night out on November 7 1981 when he first locked eyes with Lynne Turbyne from Dundee, across the dance floor of the Sands nightclub, Broughty Ferry.
They married in 1989 at St Margaret’s Church, Barnhill and the couple lived on Hill Street, Dundee.
They jetted off – on the first commercial flight to Acapulco, Mexico – for their honeymoon and there began Grant’s lifelong love affair with all things Mexican.
He learned Spanish – even using it to conduct a wedding in Dundee – and adopted Mexican football side Las Chivas de Guadalajara as his second team after Dundee FC.
Pioneering registrar
Grant became Dundee city registrar in 1997, and remained in that post until he took early retirement in 2015.
During his tenure he oversaw a huge amount of change including the introduction of civil partnerships and the marriage ceremonies being conducted outside of the registrar’s office.
Known for his innovation and commitment to helping people he established the city’s genealogy unit offering assistance to clients from all over the world hoping to trace their family trees.
“He absolutely loved doing it,” said Lynne.
“He did one for me, and it was so comprehensive. Grant regularly got requests from all over the world from people hoping to trace their Scottish ancestry.”
Helping families
Another first for Dundee was the introduction of live streaming services which Grant also helped spearhead.
“Over the years Grant registered thousands of births and conducted as many weddings and civil partnerships. He used to joke that he’d met everyone in Dundee at some point,” Lynne added.
A highlight of his role came when he could conduct ceremonies “off site”, especially places like the RRS Discovery or on a fishing boat on the Tay.
Football fan forever
Meticulous about how he dressed, Grant was “all or nothing” about anything he turned his attention to.
“He had incredible focus. If he wanted to learn a language, he learned the language. If he supported a team, he was right there behind them all the time,” said Lynne.
Football remained a passion for Grant throughout his life.
In his younger years he played 11s and five-a-sides.
He even excelled at Subbuteo, becoming the second best in Scotland as a teenager.
“He was passionate about Dundee Football Club and would have loved to have seen them win the league last Friday. It’s such a shame he missed that,” Lynne said.
His connection to Las Chivas de Guadalajara was no small one either.
He and Lynne travelled all over Mexico supporting Chivas and in 2017 was honoured by the club for being the longest serving Scottish fan.
Retirement
After finishing work Grant loved to spend time in his garden, “discovering masonry skills he didn’t know he had.”
More Mexico trips took place and his warm personality saw him make new friends all over the world.
His love of exercise also continued but spending time with friends and family, “ever the perfect host” made for an idyllic retirement.
Even a cancer diagnosis four years ago didn’t stop him going on long walks or making time for people.
Mexican send off
Grant passed away at home on May 3, following a recurrence of his illness.
“He never ever gave up and fought his illness to the end. It just wasn’t in his personality to give up,” said Lynne.
A celebration of Grant’s life will take place on Wednesday, May 17 at 10.30am in Dundee Crematorium. Mexican music will be included and the flag of his adopted nation will be draped over his casket.
You can read the family’s announcement here.
Conversation