Well-known former Sutherland businessman dies
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A FORMER Sutherland businessman has died – while visiting his friends in an Inverness funeral parlour.
Retired fruit and veg wholesaler Tommy Knox passed away during one of his regular visits to friends at William T Fraser and Sons funeral home in the city where he has lived for the past 12 years. He was aged 86.
Born in Fife, Mr Knox came to Brora with his family at the age of four. He went to school in the village and later joined the family business, TW Knox Wholesale Fruiterers. At the age of just 17 he did his first trip driving a lorry to Norfolk.
He took over the firm at the age of 19 after his father died, working hard and long hours and successfully turned it into a major enterprise. He went to Glasgow and Edinburgh fruit markets taking the fruit and veg north where it was distributed to local shops and hotels in Sutherland and Caithness.”
He also drove lorries carrying fish from Ullapool and his wagon took the Sunday papers from the train in Ardgay to Sutherland and Caithness.
At the age of 55, Mr Knox retired to Spain where he enjoyed the sunshine and Spanish way of life playing bowls and golf, but 12 years ago he returned to Heather Avenue in Inverness to be closer to family – he had 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
His wife of 36 years, Rona, said her husband liked nothing more than to be out and about in the city, and left his home early each morning to spend time with people “less fortunate”. He was also an enthusiastic volunteer for Highland Hospice, the Wheelchair Ramblers and the Seagull Trust.
Mrs Knox said: “He enjoyed helping with the boat on the canal and meeting the many people who go for trips on it. He would have been delighted to hear that the flag was flown at half mast in memory of him when he passed away.”
He also was a regular hospital visitor, taking time to see people from Brora who were at Raigmore hospital.
He was a vintage car and lorry enthusiast, owning a number of vehicles himself.
Mrs Knox said her husband liked nothing more than to be out and about on his electric bike with his yellow high-vis jacket.
She said: “When he became unfit through heart problems he bought an electric bike which helped him to maintain contacts
“It was on his final cycle run on September 14 that he called in to visit his friend of many years, Bill Fraser at the funeral home, where he went on a regular basis for a coffee, that he sadly passed away.”
