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Wife leads tributes to Broughty Ferry shopkeeper ‘Quality John McEwen’

The McEwens behind the counter of their shop.
The McEwens behind the counter of their shop.

A shopkeeper has died suddenly at home just months before he was due to retire.

John McEwen had run Quality Foods grocery store in Broughty Ferry for 19 years with his wife Lesley and the pair were familiar faces around the area.

The 65-year-old was hoping to retire in April, but collapsed at home on November 28, having felt unwell for a couple of days.

He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

It has since been discovered that Mr McEwan had a heart condition that he was unaware of.

His wife Lesley spoke of her sorrow at losing John, who she had hoped to travel with when he finally gave up his job as a shop manager.

She said: “We had been talking about retirement. John turned 65 a week before he died and he said it was time to retire.

“We’re not sure what’s going to happen to the shop. There are a few interested parties, but I will not be behind the counter again. It just wouldn’t be the same without him.”

Mr McEwan, originally from St Mary’s, first got into the industry working at a William Low store.

The former Lawside Academy pupil got his first break in managing a store when he was moved to Inverurie, and went on to work across Scotland at places such as Blairgowrie, Linlithgow and Dumfries.

But he made the bold step into managing his own shop when Tesco bought out William Low after 24 years of service.

Lesley, originally from Menzieshill, said: “He didn’t feel happy working for Tesco. It didn’t have a family feel to it.

“He got the chance to leave and that was when we decided to come back to Dundee.”

He was affectionately known by many as QJ or Quality John.

Lesley said: “He loved the place. It was tough at the start when it was just him and I working 7am to 5pm six days a week.

“But it got easier and the word spread. He loved helping the community and serving them.”

Mr McEwan leaves behind two children, Fiona, 33, and Jamie, 29, and his three grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Dundee Crematorium on Thursday at 3.30pm.