Legend on the rugby pitch, on stage and in his beloved village
OBITUARY: DOUGLAS ROSS 1962-2022
Dougie Ross of Balafark Farm, Fintry passed away unexpectedly at home on February 17 aged just 59 years.
Dougie was widely known in farming, village life and the rugby sporting world.
Indeed, in a village of only around 600 there was an astonishing turnout of 900 wanting to pay tribute.
The walk to the cemetery on the Kippen Road leaving Fintry was likely the largest ever seen in Fintry’s history.
Many were aware that he was laid to rest in a cemetery surrounded by his own sheep, just weeks away from lambing. The love for Dougie’s infectiously good-humoured company was evident in the tearful, strapping, kilted rugby colleagues who carried him on his final journey.
Dougie was born in Stirling on July 5, 1962 and his father and family were of the renowned Ross’s Dairies, a household name in west of Scotland and beyond.
Dougie was a cattle and sheep farmer from childhood days, and answered his Fintry Primary One teacher’s question of, “Well, Douglas, are you going to be a farmer when you grow up?” with a very pointed, “No! I’m already a farmer!”
A family man through and through, he was an inseparable pairing with school-day sweetheart and wife Brenda, manager of the Fintry Sports and Recreation Club.
He was a skilled water and snow skier and competitor and coach in Scottish National Tug O’ War Championships.
But it was his contribution to national rugby leagues that made him a legendary figure.
For many seasons he was captain of Strathendrick and set many West of Scotland records. To say he was venerated and earned the total respect and adulation of team members would be an understatement. He taught everyone to respect other countries and went out of his way to learn the language and sing other national anthems along with the opposition at international games.
He was a skilled after-dinner speaker and auctioneer raising thousands for charities. In the last few months he took on a challenge to do 25 press-ups for 25 days, for RSABI, providing emotional and financial help for farmers and crofters in need. Of course Dougie, took the challenge several steps higher, video posting his daily press-ups, starting on the kitchen floor and graduating onto tractors, tree tops and even reappearing fully immersed, from under an ice-cold river. He appeared in panto and musicals with his local drama club. Everyone who encountered Dougie talked of his constant up-beat, spontaneous and heart-warming humour. He would step up and volunteer in any task where he saw help was needed.
His funeral collection raised an incredible £2,767 for RSABI.
Dougie is survived by his wife Brenda, son Scott, daughter Karen, parents Iain Ross and Rosie Walters and brother Iain. Both brothers lost their younger brother, Donald, aged 37 in 2007.
In communities across Scotland Douglas George Ross leaves so many friends who are bereft in disbelief.
Dougie would step up and volunteer in any task where he saw help was needed
David Smith Humanist celebrant