A former Dundee firefighter, who fought valiantly against a disease that took so much but could not take the twinkle from his eyes, has died.
Alasdair McLeay was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in November 2007, a condition that physically weakened the former sportsman and robbed him of his speech.
However, the difficulties and indignities of daily survival did not stop him continuing with charity work up until a few months ago. He never stopped enjoying the company of family and friends and was surrounded by them at the end.
The 66-year-old was born and brought up in Dundee, the son of a baker with shops in Lilybank and Ann Street.
He went to the Lawside Primary and St John’s High schools before becoming a television engineer with British Relay.
In his thirties Mr McLeay became a fireman and worked at the job he loved until retiring from Blackness Fire Station at 55.
Always an active man, he went into business as a gardener, initially with the intention of working part-time but his skills were in demand and he was fully occupied until MND prevented him working.
Even then he supported the recently established acute palliative care unit at Ninewells Hospital and helped organise a major fund-raising fete and other cash generating events for the unit. His son Ross will take part in the Caledonia Etape cycle race to raise money for the unit.
A member of Downfield Golf Club since he was 12 years old, Mr McLeay played football for the Scottish Boys’ team in his youth.
He is survived by his 91-year-old mother, his wife Trudy a retired radiographer who worked at Ninewells Hospital two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.