Well-known figure in the motor industry. An appreciation
I FIRST met Gordon Millar, who has died aged 73, at my parents’ house at Noddsdale in Ayrshire in 1959. He was up for a visit with his brother George who was my classmate at Largs Primary School. At that time his family lived in Laverock Drive and when we later became friends in the late sixties, he would often remark on the times when he lived there with his parents and in particular the host of Barrfield’s Summer Show artistes that took up lodgings in the neighbourhood.
Andy Stewart, of Campbeltown Loch fame, rented the family caravan that was parked in the back drive and Margot Henderson the singer/comedienne once stayed next door and it is rumoured that Richard Chamberlain called to visit her there. This may have been after her appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1963.
These famous encounters must have sown the seeds of fascination for live musical theatre in the young Gordon. His appetite for good entertainment knew no bounds as he attended many shows and live performances throughout his life.
When he moved to Fairlie to set up home with Irene, he met and became acquainted with Ross McCallum who introduced him to hill walking by inviting him to a trek over the local moorland. Before you knew it the Stravaigers were formed with an old pal Russell Marshall. The group expanded exponentially and many of the group went on to more serious efforts and bagged all the Munros. Gordon joined them often and got fairly close to the total but wasn’t a purist and preferred to climb for fun and adventure.
On the career side Gordon spent the majority of his working life in the motor industry culminating in the position of service manager at Hamilton Brothers in Ralston. The garage had the dealership for Alfa Romeo and this was undoubtedly a serious bonus as he would jump at the chance to deliver customers’ vehicles in person. I remember one such journey down to Carlisle which to this day would be hard to beat for time, even with the new M74. He loved fast cars and driving them.
At school he earned the nickname Coke, from one of his teachers, after the clown Coco. No explanation needed here! At many post pub parties in the early seventies he would always appear at some point with an item of headwear from somewhere in the host’s bric a brac collection. This was all very well until one night at Rosemary and Roy Salvadori’s in Anthony Road the ‘hat’ was a tight fitting wicker basket. Tight fitting indeed as someone banged it down over his napper and it took a concerted effort to get it off and leave his ears on his head. He was a bit more wary after this!
Although a gregarious and sometimes confident individual, he had a great fear of being ‘Gordon No Pals’ and also the number thirteen. Is it not ironic on the day of his cremation service at the new Haylie facility, there was standing room only? It was Friday 13th of July 2018?
Gordon Millar is survived by twin girls from a previous marriage and his two lads Gavin and Graham and their Uncle George.
A.G.B.B.
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