Ian Whitehead was born inStretford on 22nd May 1945, the youngest of three brothers.He married Elaine on the 5th August 1967 and they had a son and daughter.  A proud Lancastrian, he brought his family to live in Dumfries in 1976.  He was initially employed as sales manager for EME school furniture manufacturer and latterly as factory manager helping to keep the factory in Sanquhar.

As a founder member of Georgetown School PTA and then Chairman of Dumfries Round Table, he worked tirelessly to support the local community.

Nobody could sell raffle tickets like Ian. Memories of “Big Ian” are happy ones; from staging Georgetown School’s first Gala Day to building floats for Guid Nychburris or selling horse manure for charity. All of which were done with great professionalism and great fun. On one occasion on a stand at Park Farm, he gave the late Rev. Ian Knox a paper streamer telling him that if it was thrown from the pulpit on Sunday there would be an extra fiver in the collection. It was indeed thrown, as part of his children’s address, with the comment that the fiver would be expected in the plate and of course it was!

Ian, as a Tabler, was the principle fund raiser for the CCT Scanner which in turn led to the creation of the Alexandria Unit some thirty years ago.The Round Table Burns Clubhad a tradition which required the Vice-Chair,irrespective of dialect, to recite the address to the haggis.  This began Ian’s love of Burns’ work and his involvement with the Burns Howff Club where he became President and was created an Honorary Member. Ian was again the principle fund raiser; this time for the Jean Armour Statue. Ian was also the first Honorary Member of the Black Joan Burns Club in Sanquhar.

Always willing to support those in need, Ianwill be greatly missed by his many friends who will always remember his love of good company especially where there was an opportunity for some nonsense.

Ian passed away on 27th December 2013 after a long illness and is survived by his loving wife Elaine, son Simon, daughter Sarah and grand-children Alfie and Isla.