A MUCH-LOVED Cumnock man has been laid to rest after residents turned out in force to pay their respects last week.

Alexander Allan or ‘Wee Alex’ was laid to rest on Thursday, May 21, after he died peacefully at home on May 18 following a long illness.

His family would like to thank all his friends and neighbours of Forbes Avenue, Nan’s Terrace and beyond, as well as Cumnock’s ambulance service and police force for their kind wishes and support in dealing with the passing of Alex.

Alex was a dedicated member of Cumnock Working Men’s Club and Cumnock Juniors Social Club [Away the ‘nock], where he was well known as “Wee Alex the Yodler” and entertained with his yodelling. Alex was a regular at Freddie Williams bookmakers where he enjoyed a bet on the football and horses.

Paying tribute to her papa, Kirsty Allan added that he was even laid to rest with a copy of his favourite newspaper The Cumnock Chronicle.

She said: “Everyone in the street was out for him on the day of his funeral and the wee shop across the road was shut to pay their respects from a distance as a mark of respect. He was well liked and everybody knew him so it was lovely to see.

“Due to circumstances we weren’t allowed a proper service for him, but people went along the street and up to Cumnock cemetery. It was nice that everyone was out. There were a few folk up at the cemetery too with social distancing in place, so he got a good turnout given the current pandemic.

“We actually put his Chronicle in with him so he wasn’t missing out, because he bought it all the time. He was always putting notices for my gra,n who also passed away, annually and at birthdays. He also would put one in at Christmas and New Year where he would wish everyone “Aw Ra Best”.

“He worked as a cobbler up until he went to work at the Killoch pit. In his teen years he got drafted in to the army as well, but we like to joke that he got booted out because he was too “wee”.

“He was a wee witty guy and always the life and soul of the party. Some would say he was a crabbit wee thing but he always wanted to have a laugh and a carry on. He had a cheeky, witty sense of humour.

“He was a keen gardener and had the best tomato plants in Ayrshire, as he would say.”

  ******************

Scotland is in lockdown, shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We’re not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Cumnock Chronicle, and the vital local news service we’ve provided since 1901 is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Cumnock Chronicle  in whatever way you can – by paying just 90p for a copy of the paper, when you’re shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.

Thanks - and stay safe.