George Stewart – Funeral
We are sad to announce that our dear friend George Stewart has passed away at the great age of 103. There will be a service of remembrance at 2pm on Friday 24th February at the Old Kirk Scone near Perth. His extended family would love to see any old ski friends of George’s there.
George was born in Glasgow in December 1919 which was the same year as the founding of the forestry commission. He attended Kelvinside Academy, following his father and 2 uncles. He was very keen to follow a career that got him outdoors so he started at Glasgow University in 1939 studying agriculture.
After only a year of studies, he was called up to Redford barracks and went on to serve with the Royal Artillery and the 8th army in North Africa ( El Alamein) and finally in Italy where he was awarded a Military Cross. It was during the war in Italy that George learned to ski, buying a pair locally and converting his army boots to fit them. Thus was born a lifelong passion for the sport. When George returned from the war he finished his studies and joined the Forestry Commission ultimately rising to a high ranking Forestry Commissioner.
When he retired in 1979 from the commission he took up tennis at 60 and was soon representing Great Britain at in Australia becoming world doubles champion in the 85+ category. He served as chair of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and on the council for the National Trust for Scotland.
George would without fail come up and race in our club race, the Convenors Canter, every year and he last raced just before Covid winning the Sages Salver. George loved a competition, he loved sporting prowess and he was interested in everyone. He will be very much missed. We will put a more detailed celebration of George’s incredible life in this years journal.
Also here is a link providing for further background on George: