OBITUARY: Graeme Ross, Dornoch
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It is with deep sorrow that I write this tribute to Graeme Ross, a colleague of us all in Dornoch Post Office for many years.
Willian Graeme Ross (Graeme) passed away in the Meadows Nursing Home on September 18, having had a long and arduous battle against cancer. He was aged 74.
He was active as a community councillor, attending meetings online, until just before his sad passing.
Graeme was an integral part of the council for close on 40 years and had the honour of being provost of Dornoch for more than one term of office.
He was born in Golspie where his father William Ross was stationmaster. Initially Graeme worked in the British Linen Bank and Bank of Scotland as a clerk.
He joined the Forestry Commission at Embo Street in 1974 and worked with the late Donald Mackay (Peem) and his good friend Archie Paterson.
Graeme then joined the post office in Dornoch as a relief postman in 1992, providing cover for holidays and sickness. He was taken on as a full-tune postman a few years later.
I worked with Graeme for many years and he was a great colleague to us all, obliging in every way. He also had a very dry wit.
We used to wind him up during preparation, bringing up SNP policies for devilment only to be shot down in flames by Graeme, a very staunch SNP supporter.
His sister Helen told me that he was secretary of the local SNP branch whilst his father held the same position with the local branch of the Labour Party.
I can imagine Graeme's mother, Betty, would have had to keep them well apart during Christmas or New Year dinners!
Graeme was also a very dedicated supporter of Dornoch Football Club, not missing a match in which they were involved.
He had been president of Dornoch City Football Club since its inauguration in 2011. There was not a prouder man in Dornoch when Dornoch City won the Stafford Cup in 2017.
His remembrance service in Dornoch Cathedral on September 25, was conducted by Rev Carol Anne Porter and was very well attended.
Rev Porter gave an account of Graeme’s life, with most of the congregation unaware of all the organisations of which he was a member.
Four members of Dornoch City FC carried his coffin into Proncynain Cemetery led by myself (Willie Sutherland), playing Dornoch Links as Graeme had requested..
Graeme will be sadly missed by his postie and forestry colleagues, the football club and all who knew him.
He will be remembered as quiet and unassuming, although with a few pints under his belt, he really opened up. Many a one or two I have had with him in the Sutherland Arms, Dornoch. He was the very best of company and I have great memories of a true friend and colleague.
Graeme is survived by his brother Kerr, sister Helen and nephew Greg to whom we all offer our heartfelt condolences on their sad loss.
Willie Sutherland
