Former Markinch head cooper John Mitchell

JOHN MITCHELL, a former head cooper at the John Haig Whisky bottling plant in Markinch, has died aged 89.

Coincidentally born in the town’s Mitchell Place, Mr Mitchell joined Haig’s as a boy in 1939.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the RAF and served in Burma.

On his return he worked his way up the career ladder to become foreman cooper.

When the factory closed down in the early 1980s he was among the hundreds who were made redundant.

Mr Mitchell also served as a retained firefighter based in Markinch.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and fly tying, and gardening, and was dedicated to his family.

He married Alice in 1947 but she tragically succumbed to cancer at an early age in 1964.

He is survived by daughter Ella, son-in-law Bob, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.