Popular Crieff man Pat O’Neill has passed away in his 100th year.
Born in Coatbridge, he left school at 14 and was employed as a surface worker at the local coal pit and then tending to the pit ponies, before turning to working on the land.
Mr O’Neill was a keen boxer and footballer and thought nothing of cycling 27 miles or so to work and to the dancing in the evenings.
He lived in bothies when on the farms and only went home every few weeks where he handed most of his pay over to his mother to help feed and clothe his younger siblings.
Mr O’Neill recounted many stories of working with “his” horses ploughing, pulling bogies and often decorating the Clydesdales for agricultural shows.
As a young man he moved to the Crieff area to work on the farms of Dolleriemuir, Alichmore, Tuckethill and Drumphin.
He met his wife Nancy while working at Dolleriemuir, where she was a land girl. They married in March 1945 and Mrs O’Neill passed away in 2011.
Mr O’Neill left the farms and worked for Perth and Kinross Council as a street sweeper where he made many friends on his rounds and was often described as “the man with the pipe”.
He was also the caller at fundraising bingo teas.
Bowling was another favourite pastime, initially at the Municipal Bowling Club before it closed and then at Crieff Private Bowling Club.
After retiring, Mr O’Neill kept himself busy doing gardens and was often seen cycling between Gilmerton and Crieff into his 80s.
He also helped out at Sweeneys Petrol Garage in Muthill, serving in the shop and at the pumps, doing this into his 90s.
He moved from Gilmerton to Duchlage Court in Crieff in 2011 where he lived independently for more than four years.
In August this year he moved in to The Birches care home – where he spent his last four months.
Mr O’Neill is survived by his three daughters and son.