The Fergie MacDonald e-book of condolences

[Tim Downie]

In recognition that many people's lives have been affected by the tragic death of Fergie I've set up this guestbook for anyone who knew him to leave any messages of condolence or any stories relating to Fergie.



TD.

[Michael Finlay]

Hi there just a note to say that fergie will be missed sadly by me. I met fergie at the arran half marathon at the awards and when fergies name was called for a medal he could not believe it was him. We then went on the bus back to the port to get the ferry back then myself and fergie came up with the idea to go to the chip shop. so we both got fish supers and he got peas with a lot of vinegar. so then we went on to the boat and fergie pulled out a bottle of red wine and two bottles of beer. One for himself and one for john that i was with. He was happy with his fish supper and his beer. Allow i only know him for about a couple of hours he came across as a very down to earth guy. My self personally put my deep thoughts out to his wife and family. You will be sadly missed by me fergie.

[Michael Finlay]

Could you please give my thoughts to all of fergies family please. Thanks again

[Cairnsy]

I have known Fergie for years through our love off Rangers FC. But I know we would have been best friends no matter who I or he supported. Who else would give up time on a friday night to runa friend from Troon to Glasgow, get you a drink for the train to Glasgow but most off all just to be there for you when you need someone to talk to.
You'll be sadly missed Mate by everyone in Belfast, Glasgow and everywhere else were you have given your craic. I'll have a malt for you Big Man.
My condolences to the family circle and especially his wife , daughter and Angus.
You'll be missed Fergie

[Tim Downie]

Found another photo that I hope people will enjoy.



Taken in happier times in Villeneuve last year.

[Stuart Davis]

Had the pleasure of working with Fergie in Scottish Mutual/Abbey National and of course went to many a Rangers game with him. Fergie was a true gentleman and touched everyone whom he met. I will cherish my memories of him as he goes to take his place alongside God in heaven, maybe God should move over and allow Fergie his seat, he deserves it! Take care Fergie, you will never be forgotten!

[Donald Graham]

Had worked with Fergie since 1981 & he was an amazing guy.

I can reveal many stories of this brilliant & friendly guy. I broke my cheekbone on Easter Friday 1987 & the following week when getting our of hospital Fergie paid me a visit. I was unable to chew anything & had to drink everything by straw. All food was being liquidised. I was watching the Dundee Utd V Gothenburg Final on the TV & who knocked on the door but the immitable Fergie. I thought great the big man will have brought sum beers. His first words were F**K your face is a mess & I brought you a present. Brilliant I thought few beers while watching the match. How wrong could I be, out came to bags Thorntons Nut Brittle & Treacle toffee. Fergie went on to eat both bags in front of me.

Brilliant, wish I could of thought of that one. Over the years we played many jokes on each other.

Will miss B.O.B. a true friend for ever.

[Andy Bell]

I never worked directly with Fergie but got to know him well when dealing with him when he worked in the Glasgow Branch of Scottish Mutual and I worked in the Scottish Mutual Annuities team. Also, we acquainted ourselves through the State Bar (as most people do in Abbey/Scottish Mutual).
Unfortunately, once Fergie found out I was a fan of the team from the green side of Glasgow I was always in his crosshairs. On one occasion I was walking up St Vincent Street at 5 o'clock when I heard the noise of a flute band getting closer with every step. To my surprise it was Fergie with the windows down in his car blaring the latest addition to his flute collection. Needless to say, he was delighted that I was walking by and turned his stereo up once he'd seen me. If it had been anything else, I may have been offended but because it was Fergie, there was no way he could offend me, no matter how hard he tried.
It's always easy at times like this to say how wonderful a person is when they are no longer with us. However, with Fergie, you can honestly say that is the case. The reaction of people yesterday who hardly knew him but were shocked and saddened by his untimely death is proof of this.
There was a film made in the early fifties that I think sums Fergie up, it was called "The Good Die Young". How right they were.

[Linda Kennedy]

I am deeply saddened to hear that Fergie is no longer with us.

I had many dealings with the Fergie in Scottish Mutual/Abbey, he was a huge character and missed when he left the company. I was also very lucky enough to meet him on many occasions through running. One occasion in particular sticks in my mind when running the Glasgow half, racing each other for the first 5 miles he turned and saluted Ibrox stadium as we ran past.....obviously he was wearing his infamous union jack shorts! Another memorable occasion last year meeting up in Fort William for Eddie's half he was still drunk from the night before, but he still managed the run and had enough energy to give me a shout at the turning point. I also remember him telling me about his pre marathon carbo loading.......a curry and 5 pints, he was a legend!

He was always enthusiastic about everything, and he'll be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

My thoughts go out to Fergie's family at this very sad time.

[Louise]

If Fergie were here now, he would be stunned and delighted by the number of people who love him and are going to miss him so dearly.

I have spent much of the past few days thinking back to past days spent in Abbey with Fergie, he was always a constant. Totally dependable, totally trustworthy and so, so funny. He made coming into work a pleasure, and he always amazed me with his complete enthusiasm for life. The funny stories to be told are endless, and not only was he a man of great wit, he was a gentleman, and a true, true friend.

My heart goes out to Jayne, Shona and Angus, please know we are all thinking of you and my love goes to you all.

I'll miss you Fergie, but it was an honour and a privilege to have been able to call you a friend, and you'll never, ever be forgotten.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Caroline Cox]

I'm sure I speak for everyone at Abbey/Scot Mutual who knew Fergie to say he will be very sadly missed. So shocked to hear the news.
A great character with always a smile and story to tell. We shared a lot of banter, mainly him slagging my team (Celtic) and me doing the same to him!
My sincere condolences to the family.
Rest in Peace Fergie, we will all miss you xxx

[stewarty]

"On your harp you will be playing
In the sky way up above
You'll be playing Follow Follow
For the Rangers that you love"

Familiar words big man, but words that are filled with sadness over these past few days.

Our hearts and prayers go to Jaynie, Shona and Angus at the loss of a very special person to all of us who were fortunate to know him.

God bless you mate.
Stewarty and family.

[Dot Steele]

Donald said:

I was unable to chew anything & had to drink everything by straw. All food was being liquidised................who knocked on the door but the immitable Fergie. I thought great the big man will have brought sum beers. His first words were F**K your face is a mess & I brought you a present. Brilliant I thought few beers while watching the match. How wrong could I be, out came to bags Thorntons Nut Brittle & Treacle toffee. Fergie went on to eat both bags in front of me.

That's Fergie.

I also worked with Fergie in Scottish Mutual. It was Fergie who taught me and my friend Ann about Indian curries in the late 70's.

He always made folk laugh and was a right practical joker. You never saw him without a big grin on his face. When the original building in St Vincent Street got refurbished in the 80's, he soon discovered his famous Doc Martins and the nylon carpet created static and he'd approach you rubbing his feet on the carpet and then touched your earlobe with his index finger!!! What an electric shock you got.

I remember going on a union course with him to Bishops Stortford. The guys' rooms were in the older part of the building without en-suite bathrooms and Fergie had left his room to go to the toilet but forgot his key and his room door locked behind him. Seemingly, he was dressed the way he'd been born and ended up finding the first aid room and sleeping on the examination bed!!!

There's so many memories that anyone who came in to contact with Fergie will have. He was a true gent with a heart of gold and a great sense of fun and humour. It's many, many years since I saw him but, no doubt like many others, I was so shocked to hear the sad news and still can't really take it in.

My heart goes out to Jayne, Shona and Angus. Fergie will most definitely be missed but he'll certainly never be forgotten.

[Neill]

My memories of Fergie are him grinning and giving me a wave every time I walked past the carriage he sat on, on the 5.30 Glasgow to Ayr service. Fergie always seemed to sit on the same seat - and everyone seemed to know it was his.
My other memory of him was every 10K or half marathon I ran, Fergie always overtook me around the halfway point and we always had a laugh - before he ran off into the distance! At the Irvine 10K a few weeks ago, he did exactly that and I remember thinking that one of these days I was going to beat him.
What a great shame that I won't now get that chance.
My sincere condolences go out to his family.

[Tim Downie]

Picture of Fergie taken back in 2004 I believe. (Sent to me by Linda Kennedy). As ever, a fashion leader, not a follower.

[Laura Joyce Margaret]

Sometimes in this world you come across a person who is larger than life with a heart of gold. That someone was definately Fergie. We worked with him for many years at Scottish Mutual and he was known to everyone in the office. He would light up a room when he came in and you were always guaranteed a laugh when you met him. When Fergie heard we were training for a 10km, he convinced us to come down and run the Troon 10km for a bit of practise, telling us it was a fabulous flat course with lovely views of the sea. What he failed to mention was that the weather for that night was gale force winds and torrential rain. As novices to running, how we completed that course we will never know. I'm sure he was home with his feet up (or in the pub) as we staggered across the finishing line! Outwith the office, we shared Fergie's love of Rangers and was very exicted when he offered to take us to a salubrious little bar he frequented. Little did we know that bar was the Stepps bar and by no stretch of the imagination could it be referred to as salubrious! However we went on to spend many a happy time there after the football with him.

Fergie, you were "Simply the Best" and we will miss you terribly.

[Grant McNae]

Deepest condoloncies to his family.

Fergie would never pass you buy without a greeting and comment. He could always find something to be cheerful about even when his team were being were beaten and got his own back when they were on top.

[Michael Finlay]

I hope rangers win tonight on behave of fergie. Go on the gers.

[Laura Joyce Margaret]

Laura said:

Sometimes in this world you come across a person who is larger than life with a heart of gold. That someone was definitely Fergie. We worked with him for many years at Scottish Mutual and he was known to everyone in the office. He would light up a room when he came in and you were always guaranteed a laugh when you met him. When Fergie heard we were training for a 10km, he convinced us to come down and run the Troon 10km for a bit of practise, telling us it was a fabulous flat course with lovely views of the sea. What he failed to mention was that the weather for that night was gale force winds and torrential rain. As novices to running, how we completed that course we will never know. I'm sure he was home with his feet up (or in the pub) as we staggered across the finishing line! Outwith the office, we shared Fergie's love of Rangers and were very excited when he offered to take us to a salubrious little bar he frequented. Little did we know that bar was the Stepps bar and by no stretch of the imagination could it be referred to as salubrious! However we went on to spend many a happy time there after the football with him.

Fergie, you were "Simply the Best" and we will miss you terribly.

[Alex]

admin said:

Picture of Fergie taken back in 2004 I believe. (Sent to me by Linda Kennedy). As ever, a fashion leader, not a follower.

I remember this day well. It was the Round Arran Relay. Fergie was regaling us on his training regime which, as usual, consisted of various excisable liquors and considerable stodge. When it came to divvying up the legs for the relay, we were all trying to avoid the horrendous North 2. Fergie's answer? "A'm no bothered, a'll dae ony o' them."
What a guy. We're all diminished by his passing.

[Robert Ruth]

I got to know Fergie initially through my brother John when they worked together at Scottish Mutual/Abbey but surprisingly we met quite often even although he lived in Ayrshire and I lived in the South East of England. It used to amaze me that if I was out in Glasgow for a few beers how often I'd see the big man, where he'd always say he was just having a quick one before getting the train home after work at 9pm.

The last time I met him he was telling me about his new job and that he was out with his new work colleagues and that they were all a very nice bunch apart from being mostly Celtic fans. To know Fergie was to know that he loved his team and loved the banter and serious conversations he enjoyed with fans of any team.

We shared the same love for Rangers and we frequently met at grounds all round the country. I'm truly shocked this has happened and to such a truly special guy. My thoughts and kind wishes go out to his wife and family at this terrible time.

Fergie I will always think of you with your kilt on at my brothers wedding dishing me out fly whiskey's from your hip flask stored in your sporran...

You''ll be missed but never forgotten...


Robert Ruth

[Derek Gemmell]

Fergie started off as a colleague at Scottish Mutual but quickly became a friend. Over my 7 years at SMA i had the pleasure of attending many a Mutual Curry Club night and on a more personal note getting numerous 5 minute long answer machine messages to basically say "call me back" from the big man. I also look back at our many sessions in the Steps Bar with Fish, the guys from Belfast and Edinburgh whom I am sure will be devastated to hear the bad news. Despite moving to Dubai a couple of years ago I bumped into Fergie many times down in Troon where my wife is from. The most recently only a few weeks ago when he was out jogging with the same shorts and similar top on to the picture above. I am sure it was only coincidence that Troon ferry was just loading up all its passengers, mostly wearing the green and white hoops from the match that day at Parkhead, to head back to Larne.

My thoughts and condolences go out to Mrs MacDonald, Shona and Angus. I will miss my friend terribly.

[Stephen French]

I and many of my colleagues in Scottish Mutual very were sad to hear the news about Fergie, he was a wonderful colleague and I know will be missed by all those who knew him.

[Janice and Tom Ord]

Fergie, you were one of a kind. No-one was ever a stranger after having met you, you were always so welcoming. Our thoughts and sympathy go to all of your family but especially to Jaynie, Shona and Angus who meant everything to you. Our lives are much richer for having known you Fergie – you’ll be sadly missed. The ‘Gers are playing for you tonight!!!

[Linda McKee]

I was saddened to hear the news about Fergie. What a lovely guy. He always had a smile on his face and welcomed you with a cheery "hello". Nothing was too much trouble for him. A truly good guy. God Bless you Fergie and keep you in his care. My condolences to his wife and family.

[Kay]

I worked with Fergie for many years in Scottish Mutual/Abbey and will never forget the practical jokes he played on almost everyone!! What a laugh he gave us all. Fergie always had a smile on his face and had a heart of gold. You will be sadly missed by the 'wee yin'

My condolences to his family.

[Deborah Sharp]

I, like many, many other people was terribly saddened to hear of Fergie's tragic death.

Fergie had such charm and made everyone feel so special, he was such a welcoming chap that didn't like to see anyone sitting themselves.

He had time for everyone and treated everyone the same - he loved nothing more than a good laugh and took great delight in plotting his next caper!

His pranks were legendary and everyone he knew has their own little 'Fergie Stories' to tell, and now to cherish.......

God bless you Fergie, he certainly broke the mould when making you!

Debs X

My sincerest condolences to his family

[Tim Downie]

Another nice picture of Fergie. (Sent by Moira Connell)

[Stevie Sharman]

He was our friend and neighbour for many years. Love to Angus and Janie at this sad time. Stevie,Lindsey, Marc and Gary.

[paulchong]

Take Care Fergie. Keep an eye out for the rest of us. Thought you had a hand in the score in France last night

Paul