The Fergie MacDonald e-book of condolences

[Dave King]

From an old colleague in the 90's who Fergie introduced to the Currie club and who Fergie helped whenever us idiot broker consultants needed H.Q. to sort things out- happy memories of old times and what an inspiration to everyone. Condolences to family and everyone who knew him, so sadly missed.

[Liz Imrie]

Like all the other messages i knew Fergie from working in Abbey/Scottish Mutual and i was very saddened to hear this heartbreaking news.

Fergie was always the life and soul of the party and always made you laugh with his rotten jokes! When he worked in Glasgow branch he always used to call me and put on a silly voice pretending to be a customer and me being me fell for it every time!!! On one occasion i actually put the phone down on him saying i was not continuing with the call ( Great customer service eh). He then called me back saying that he had just spoken to a customer who wanted to complain about my attitude! He did not tell me till three days later that the customer was him!

My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

The Gers done you proud last night

[jaloho]

I first met Fergie when I joined the Mutual in 1976. I last met him a couple of years ago at his “retirement” do in the Horseshoe. I can’t say more than he was a really, really nice guy with a great big heart and that’s the way I’ll always remember him.

My thoughts go out to Jayne, Shone and Angus.

[Heather]

I, like many others, worked with Fergie for a number of years in Scottish Mutual/Abbey. He was a fantastic guy and always the practical joker - it was hard to know at times whether he was serious or just pulling your leg. The last time I saw Fergie was in the Horse Shoe Bar when he offered to buy me a drink - instead of the glass of wine that I'd asked for, he bought me a bottle as 'it would keep me going!' It certainly did!!

It was a pleasure knowing you Fergie and you will be sadly missed by all - my thoughts go out to Janie, Shona and Angus.

[JackieCampbell]

I worked with Fergie (and his wife Jane) in the Scottish Mutual days (109 ST Vincent Street circa) and have many, many happy memories of both his humour, generousity, hair style and unique dress sense ! My husband, Gus, remembers him too, having met him many times at nights out including the Central Hotel Xmas parties and sharing his passion for a certain football team.

More importantly, Fergie genuinely genuinely cared about us (his fellow colleagues) and demonstrated his gift of communication, friendship and supportiveness on a daily basis.

He truely lived more & enhanced the lives of others in his relatively short time here than many people could hope to do in a long life!!

We will miss you Fergie ...until we meet again -
Jackie (and Gus) Campbell

[George Davidson]

Like many long timers from the SMA days, I got to know Fergie through work but considered him a friend albeit one with a dodgy sense of humour.
When he found out I had taken up medieval fencing he had me demonstrating in the area office with a golfing umbrella ... but without telling any of his team what I was doing or why. Some of those poor folk never passed me in the corridor again without flinching! ;D

A sad loss of someone who made my SMA days happy ones indeed.

[Allan and Sue]

A true gent and a good friend. Enjoyed many a night in the big mans' company. Always good banter about the Rangers - Airdrie rivalry.

You will be sorely missed Fergie .

[Security Team Glasgow]

We were all sad to hear the news about Fergie. He was an amazing guy. Always had a smile for you and a joke to share.

Our thoughts are with his family.

Rest well Fergie. You will be sorely missed by us all.

Keith; Gus; Fay and the Security Gang xox

[Steven Fairhurst]

As like many who knew him Monday's news brought a tear to my eye, Fergie you were a true gentleman, a total legend. This world will be a poorer place without you, RIP big man! My sincere condolences go out to his family.

[Paul Anderson]

Like everyone that's posted already the news of Fergie's passing came as a complete shock to myself. I was told the sad news 5 minutes before kick off of our game on Saturday. The referee was kind enough to allow a minute's silence to be carried out in Fergie's honour and it was well respected by all the boys in attendance, including those watching at the sides. During the silence I couldn't help a feeling of utter disbelief at the news and how I'd miss his permanently smiling face! I also remember wondering why we were even bothering with a game of football. The actual game seems like somewhat of a blur to me now and completely surreal.

I met Fergie a good 10 years ago when I worked for Pegasus New Business and he was in the West of Scotland Sales office. When he realised that I played for Troon Amateurs we started chatting and I can safely say he's one of those people you would always go out of your way to talk to. He was genuine, kind, funny, generous and more. Over the years he proved to be a true friend whenever I needed him. Nothing was too much trouble. He bent over backwards to help a friend of mine apply for a job in Abbey & he gave me advice on things he didn't have to spend the time on when he was at work.

When he wasn't watching Rangers on a Saturday and Troon were at home he would often be seen at our games with Angus (both usually with a Rangers strip on of course) and would join the players & committee for a pie & a pint in the clubhouse after the game to check the scores. He always lit the place up.

On behalf of Troon Amateurs players & committee, our thoughts are with his family and all those that were close to him.

[Tim Downie]

This picture courtesy of Niall McPherson (taken during first visit to Villeneuve-sur-Lot)

[Kimberley Rippey]

Hi Everyone

Just reading so many wonderful stories, memories, photos of Fergie on this e - book.
I also worked with Fergie @ Abbey/Scottish Mutual. He would always make me laugh no matter what & gave me good support & advice always - he used to call me with a foreign accent complaining & I fell for it every time. I remember when he found out I was a True Blue that was it ..Follow Follow & I was his mate...lol :P

I was so shocked to hear this tragic loss like most of my colleagues who worked with him - we are all heartbroken. He was well respected & loved by everyone & he was a very unique person, too good to be forgotten.

A Great Compassionate Guy - I am so proud to say I had the honour of meeting him.

Word cannot express my heartfelt sorrow to his family @ this sad time

Such a tragic loss - However he will never be forgotten, always in our hearts.

Love Kimberley

XXxxxXX

[Helen King]

Like so many of you I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of Fergie. It has been many years since I worked at the Scottish Mutual Glasgow branch and had the pleasure of getting to know Fergie. All the comments logged here ring so true with me, in particular his sense of fun and love of Rangers! In particular, I remember his wacky socks - poking out the bottom of his business suit! At the time Scottish Mutual was still very much a traditional Scottish life assurance company, with the associated sombre business image - but Fergie found his way to inject his fun character. Every day was a new adventure in wacky socks!
He will be missed by so many.
My thoughts are with his family.

[jinglis]

Like others I got to know Fergie via the Scottish Mutual ,I was his boss for a few years .
W e had a few outings ,the main ingredients being fun and nonsense .
He will be sorely missed.
My sympathies go to his family

[Gay Young]

I have known Fergie for many years since working with him in the Scottish Mutual old days. He always made me smile and was forever playing pranks with his phone calls pretending to be a Customer, I always knew it was him, but had to play along just incase it wasn't. He certainly made working in those days a lot of fun. Fergie will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him, but he will never be forgotten.

My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

[George Malone]

Four years ago I visited France for the first time, it was a trip to run a 15km road race with the twin town of Troon, Villeneuve Sur Lot. By chance I was billeted with the same French family as a Mr F MacDonald. Till then we had not known each other but a friendship was formed that weekend that lasted and grew. Fergie and myself loved the French trips, almost a double act, me being the stooge for his jokes, an English man in a kilt, well you can imagine. I was happy to tag along and honoured that I had been adopted in such a way. We spent days in the sun, simply enjoying the atmosphere of the rural life that that part of France does so well. Of the four trips I particularly recall a day last year when we borrowed a couple of bikes and cycled through a few of the nearby villages, stopping off for some lunch and returning via the river side path, pure relaxation and fun, talking to any and all we meet along the way. Fergie was fluent in French, they may not have always understand the words, but everyone knew that they were with an exceptionally kind and generous Scotsman and his some what quieter English side kick.
This year tragedy struck and the world is a poorer place for that loss and my heart goes out to his family. I know lots of people, but have only come across two or three in my life that I would call a true friend, Fergie was one of them.

[Steph Carlin]

I knew Fergie from having worked at Scottish Mutual/Abbey in Leeds for 21 years and was stunned when I heard the news. There was no way he could disguise that accent! He only had to say "hello" and I knew it was him! I'll remember many great nights out in Glasgow from our Sales Support Managers courses and of course the curries! A lovely lovely fella who will be sorely missed. We'll raise a glass or three to you on the next Scot Mut Leeds night out.

Steph x

[Rosemary]

Fergie what can I say, when I heard the sad sad news I shed a few tears. During the many years I have worked with SMA I have always known you to be there. Then I had the pleasure of working more directly with you for a few years while I was seconded to Leeds. As Steph says' many in Leeds old Office shall be having a few drinks in your memory.
I can always say you made me and the other Sales Support Managers laugh, even sometimes when you were trying to be so serious there was always a joke at the end of it.
When I returned to Glasgow we continued to bump into each other regularly, nothing was ever too much bother for you, no matter what you continually put yourself out for others.
Many many people are going to miss you but you can be sure we are all better for having known you.
Have a ball up there and the memories people have of you will continue to make them smile for a very very long time.

Rest in peace, my condolences to your family.
Remember the pain of remembering a loved one who is lost to us will always be there, it is just that it gets easier to remember.

Rosemary

[John Brennan]

Hadn't been in touch with Fergie for a while since leaving Abbey, however, I'll always remember him as a big hearted soul and someone who will undoubtedly be missed by everyone he has come into contact with.

Always had time for a chat and quick with the gags.

Like many have said, being a big Gers fan, he'll be smiling down on his team after their exploits in France.

Take care big yin.
JB.

[margaretcannon]

I knew Fergie through Scottish Mutual and then Abbey, he was a fantastic man with a great personality and always had a joke to tell. My thoughts go to his wife and family at this terrible sad time

[charlottevalek]

I knew Fergie from working in Scottish Mutual Manchester. He made our meetings in Glasgow so much more enjoyable. I have so many memories from him taking us on the Glasgow subway crawl - we didn't manage all the pubs but he took us to some really rough ones, him asking what wine we wanted with our meal - dark or clear, his favourite Horeshoe bar and the many curries we consumed. He once did a week in the Manchester office when he worked in HO and wore his kilt for the whole week.

We kept in touch and I still have the text telling me he was off to France - I can't believe he's not coming back. I and many others will miss him. Condolences to Jaynie, Shona & Angus - I never met them but knew them through Fergie.

[Brian Watt]

I am extremely sorry to hear of Fergie's passing.

He took me under his wing when I started in Scottish Mutual in 1977 and over the years he always had a laugh and a joke with me or at my expense. He affectionately referred to me as Fred (flintstone) and my wife as Wilma (which she appreciated a lot). I have many, many memories of him from spending all our luncheon vouchers on the 1st day is issue at the Chinese restaurant to setting up a dummy canera pointing at my desk in Bothwell street (I though the Company was spying on me).
My thoughts and prayers go to his wife and family.
Cheers Fergie - I raise a glass to you.

[Andy Williamson]

So many stories,so many memories.

Will miss you sorely forever.

God Bless You MMF,

Andy

[didier nugre]

Fergie, ton ami Didier est aujourdhui triste, cette trajique disparition affecte toute ma famille, tu avait par ton devouement, et ta joie de vivre, cree un lien solide entre moi meme et ma famille, je reste marque par ta presence et ta disponibilite que tu avait eu lors de notre sejour debut aout .
EN CE MOMENT DOULOUREUX NOUS SOMMES DE TOUT COEUR AVEC TON EPOUSE ET TES ENFANTS
RIEN N EFFACERA LES SUPERBES MOMENTS PASSE ENSEMBLE
LE SOUVENIR RESTERA
TES AMIS A JAMAIS
DIDIER EMILIA FRANCOIS DIANA CINDY MARIO

[Ian Baty]

Glasgow will never be the same without Fergie. He was one of the nicest guys I have ever had the good fortune to meet. I have known Fergie for over 20 years, initially through work at Scottish Mutual, but also as a friend. There has never been anyone as friendly as Fergie, he always put others before himself, would do anything for you, either buisness or personal and always dropped whatever he was doing at the time to put your needs first. A genuine 'gentleman' and there aren't many of those about these days. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts and condolences are with his family at this very sad time.

[Austin Mcgrory]

Like all the other messages i knew Fergie from working in Abbey/Scottish Mutual and i was very saddened to hear of his passing.

He always made me laugh and as I support the Green side the banter was great. You will be sadly missed mate. My thoughts and condolences to the family.

[Dawn Anderson]

A Mutual guy from years gone past
Who made everyone smile aswell as laugh
Now is your time to be laid to rest
To us you'll always be simply the best!

Good night & God bless

[Lorraine Casey]

I too worked with Fergie for a number of years in Scottish Mutual/Abbey. What can I say about Fergie that hasn't already been said. It was always fun, even when he used to bug the life out of me by rocking my chair every time he passed ! It drove me nuts and Fergie would just laugh.

Cheers big man til we meet again.

My thoughts are with Fergie's family. I hope knowing how much we all loved Fergie will be of some comfort to them.

[macpherson]

Jenifer and Niall MacPherson received this message from Pierre Lassignardie on behalf of the Stade Villeneuvois in Villeneuve sur Lot, France today 4th October

Les derniéres nouvelles de Phergie

Ce matin le corps de Phergie vient de quitter Villeneuve-Sur-Lot par avion et devrait arriver à Troon dans la journée de vendredi. Un ami de la famille l'accompagne pour son dernier voyage. Tous ses amis villeneuvois ont eu ce matin une pensée pour Phergie. Ils s'associent à moi pour vous demander de bien vouloir transmettre ces quelques mots que vous voudrez bien traduire en anglais, aux Tortoises, à la famille et surtout à sa femme Janey et ses enfants.

"Phergie pour nous était un vrai ami, nous ne l'oublierons jamais. Tous ses amis villeneuvois présentent à ses amis , sa famille et à Janey et ses enfants nos très très sincères condoléances et sont , par la pensée , à vos cotés pendant cette période si douloureuse."

Bon courage à tous

Pierre


Latest news about Fergie from Pierre Lassignardie.

This morning Fergie’s body left Villeneuve-sur-Lot by plane, and it should arrive in Troon on Friday. A friend of the family is travelling with him on his last journey. All his friends in Villeneuve were thinking of Fergie this morning. They join me in asking you to translate this message into English and to send it to all the Tortoises, to his family, and especially to his wife Janey and their children.

“Fergie was for us a real friend, and we’ll never forget him. All his friends in Villeneuve send our very very sincere condolences to his friends, his family and to Janey and her children. We are with you in spirit at this painful time.”

With kindest regards to you all.
Pierre

[Ian B]

I was shocked when I heard the news last weekend. I met Fergie when I lived in Troon, first getting to know him when we travelled up and down to work in Glasgow every day, and also from our shared love of running. I think there are a couple of phrases that sum him up perfectly: a great character, and a larger than life individual who was loved by all. One of my favourite stories (which he told me himself) was of Fergie coming back to Troon on the last train one Friday night, after a particularly heavy night out. He had fallen asleep, and woke up to find the train had arrived at the station. In a panic he grabbed his bag and managed to get off just before the doors closed. As he watched the (last) train pull away he began to realise that the station was not familiar, and then it slowly dawned on him that he had got off at Paisley Gilmour Street, not Troon. This was in the days before mobile phones, and since he had no money in his pocket he had to sleep on the station platform until the first train on the Saturday morning.

Fergie, you were a great character and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew you. Our thoughts are with your wife and family at this difficult time.