THE PEOPLE of Dundee turned out in huge numbers to say farewell to Ronnie McIntosh, the inspirational athlete who died at the age of 62.
The Olympic torch the double amputee and kidney transplant recipient so proudly carried through the streets of the city last summer rested on his coffin as a symbol of “his amazing life”.
Celebrant Dominick Watson went on to tell the several-hundred-strong gathering who packed into Dundee Crematorium that the greatest tribute they could pay to Mr McIntosh would be for each of them to register as an organ donor.
He was repeating a message that Mr McIntosh himself made in The Courier in his last interview published on December 31. Three days later, after suffering a sudden bout of pneumonia, he died.
The renowned Hawkhill Harrier whose members turned out at Thursday’s humanist service in the club’s traditional blue and white endured many challenges in life.
He lost both legs below the knee because of problems caused by his failing kidneys, but the transplant he received in 2009 filled him with hope and a quest to live his life to the full.
Grateful but not fully content with the prosthetic limbs that allowed him to walk, he raised thousands of pounds for bladed limbs that enabled him to be an athlete again.
He also raised thousands of pounds for other charities.
The uplifting example he set caught the attention of people all over the country and led to Mr McIntosh being awarded the Disabled Athlete of the Year by Dundee’s own athletics legend Liz McColgan.
He was selected by the Scottish Government to present the Scottish Communities Cup to winners Kilmarnock at the Hampden final last season, and his proudest moment was when he was one of only nine people chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Dundee last June.
Mr Watson, a personal friend who went with Mr McIntosh to cheer on their beloved Dundee at Dens Park, said the former gardener was “a true gentleman inspirational, humble and totally selfless”.
Despite the adversity he faced, he had “a propensity to give, to care and to put other people before himself”.
Mr McIntosh’s wife Cecilia and other family members asked mourners, who packed the aisles and filled every seat at the crematorium, not to wear dark colours for the celebration of his life.
Those present included Lord Provost Bob Duncan, Dundee manager Barry Smith and Dundee United manager Peter Houston.
A reception was held afterwards at Dens Park.