Mr Walter A Crole, a well known businessman in Blairgowrie and over a wide area of Perthshire, has died.
He was 85.
Mr Crole was born in St Andrews, the eldest of the family of three sons and three daughters of Walter and Bella Crole, and after the birth of his sister, Ruth, the family returned to Blairgowrie, before settling in Rattray.
He attended Rattray Primary School and on leaving worked on Drumend Farm in Rattray before completing two years of national service from 1946-48 in the Royal Air Force.
During his service he learned the trade of spraying lorries and vans with the RAF circle, a trade he continued with JK Hannan, coachbuilder and repairs, in Croft Lane.
Around 1952 Mr Hannan and family emigrated to Australia and Mr Crole worked in various parts of Perthshire including a spell with Harry Macpherson at Kirkmichael Hotel where there was a garage.
In 1958 Mr Crole obtained premises at Quarry Garage and in 1970 the business moved to the present site in Jessie Street where it has continued to expand for the last 13 years under the guidance of Mr Crole’s son Walter Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Winnie, a daughter, Pat, son Walter Jr, four grandsons and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters Ruth, Elsie and Lyalla.