Many people were greatly saddened at the recent death of Lauder Reid who was well known and greatly respected in the local community.

There was a large attendance of family, friends and colleagues who came to pay their respects at Lauder’s recent funeral in West Kilbride Parish Church.

Lauder was born in Buckreddan Hospital, Kilwinning on October 11, 1954 and brought up in Dunora, Pier Road, Fairlie, the second youngest of seven boys.

He attended Fairlie Primary School and later was a pupil at Largs High School. After leaving school he attended Ayr Technical College where he studied carpentry and joinery.

This led to an apprenticeship with builders Mactaggart & Mickel which saw Lauder working in various sites in West Kilbride, Largs, Ayr and Kilwinning.

After a number of years working for other people, Lauder started up in business for himself where he was known for his professionalism and his attention to detail.

He took great pride in his work and could often be heard whistling away happily as he worked.

He first met his future wife, Isabel, when he was twelve years of age through the Boys’ Brigade as Isabel’s dad was a BB Officer who was teaching him to play the chanter.

He used to joke that the only reason they lost touch at that time was because he couldn’t afford the bus fare from Fairlie to West Kilbride!

However, love blossomed when they met again at a party when they were 19 and they were married two years later in St Andrew’s Church in West Kilbride.

Over the next few years they were blessed first with their son Andrew, followed by son Stuart and finally by daughter Caroline.

Lauder’s greatest love was his family and this was highlighted by his joy at the birth of grandson, Dylan, just over two years ago.

Lauder had many interests and hobbies and as a younger man was Chairman of Largs Young Farmers Club where he also served as Treasurer.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed clay pigeon shooting, fishing and game shooting.

He especially loved walking and would take himself off in all weathers to watch the high tides and stormy seas.

On Saturday mornings he and his long-term friend Hunter McMillan could often be seen out walking with their dogs or out in a boat where they might occasionally catch something!

He also loved taking his children with him on long walks which gave them a quiet special time together.

Lauder loved bowling and was a member of West Kilbride Bowling Club where he was President in 2002.

This was followed by a term as President of the Largs & District Past Presidents Association.

He was also a season ticket holder at Kilmarnock Football Club where he attended all the home games and even had a car registration plate to show his love of the team!

For a number of years Lauder was also a member of West Kilbride Masonic Lodge.

Perhaps a lesser-known fact about Lauder was that he was a regular blood donor who over the years donated just short of 100 pints of blood but sadly had to stop donating following a heart attack in 2013.

Lauder was only really ill for a few weeks before he passed away on March 26 in the Ayrshire Hospice.

At his funeral service a collection was taken for the Hospice which raised the magnificent sum of £1,954 and for which his family wish to extend their deepest thanks.

Lauder was a modest, unassuming man who touched many hearts and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

He leaves behind wife Isabel, sons Andrew and Stuart, daughter-in-law Claire, daughter Caroline and her boyfriend Greig, grandson, Dylan, and brothers Sinclair, Jimmy and Philip and their extended families.