Community hero remembered by those who knew him best
THE Herald has been inundated with tributes to a community stalwart who “dedicated his life to helping others”.
Dr Geoff Allan MBE, chair of the Kirkintilloch Town Hall Preservation Trust, died in his Kirkintilloch home recently.
Since then many of the organisations that Dr Allan supported, volunteered and campaigned for have come forward to pay tribute to his memory.
Pam McGaughrin, vice-chair of Kirkintilloch Town Hall Preservation Trust, worked closely with Dr Allan on the successful campaign to save the much-loved building.
She told the Herald: “I’ll miss him hugely and he’ll also be missed by the entire Kirkintilloch community.
“He did do much to help people and was a fantastic friend who was always there for you.
“I’ve already lost count of the number of times my hand has gone to the telephone to call him before I’ve realised he’s no longer with us.
“I’m really pleased he knew that our campaign had been successful before he died and will be asking the committee about giving him a special ‘Friend of the Town Hall’ brick.
“It would also be fantastic to have a picture of him in the town hall when it’s finished so he’s always remembered.”
Jenny Proctor, vice-chair of Kirkintilloch’s Park Centre, was one of the founding directors of the centre - where Dr Allan chaired the committee and was instrumental in the community centre’s great success.
She said: “He had a huge amount of common sense and was very humble about his own abilities. He also had a very great sense of humour and was a good friend to many people.
“He dedicated his life to helping others and worked hard for the Park Centre since it was set up in 1994. He was also a big supporter of Contact Point and Crossroads, served on Kirkintilloch Community Council and was an elder at St David’s Memorial Park Church.
“It is fortunate that he was able to see the start of the improvements currently being made to the Park Centre. He will be sorely missed.”
A spokesperson for Cruse Bereavement Scotland, where Dr Allan volunteered as a counsellor following the death of his wife, also paid tribute.
She said: “Geoff first volunteered with us as Chairperson of the local Strathkelvin team in early 2005.
“Being the person he was, his interest really lay in working directly with individual clients and he took our training so that he could work with and support bereaved people.
“During this time he was a much loved member of the local team and will be remembered by them as being thoroughly supportive and caring.
“He reluctantly decided to resign from the local team in 2010 due to ill health, but maintained his interest in our work.
“His enthusiasm and a great personality made working with him a pleasure.
“He will be much missed by all of his friends and colleagues in Cruse.”
* Have you got a story, picture or comment? E-mail kirkyherald@jnscotland.co.uk
Alternatively you can call the newsdesk 0141 775 0040, find us on Facebook or visit us on Twitter
Or you can log in below and have you say on the site...
Email to a friend
Print this page- Calls for public inquiry over town centre plans
- Fed-up drivers say it’s time to take firm action on potholes in East Dunbartonshire
- Gas works will mean busy Bishopbriggs road is shut for nearly two months
- Green light for new Co-op store in Lenzie
- School memorial library set to be a fitting tribute to tireless councillor
- Osteoporosis drug and heart risk
- Lenzie Post Office proposed move will deliver longer opening hours
- Model Springburn schoolgirl Amy set to take to the stage for Miss Scotland Perfect pageant
- Lenzie lift the cup ... and urge people to support the club!
- Alleged Kirkintilloch town centre shoplifters collared by police
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
