David Green – leading figure in Caithness business community and vintage vehicle club stalwart
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David Green was a leading figure in the Caithness business community for more than half a century, as managing director of the successful house-building firm Green and Cameron.
He was also a stalwart of Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club, helping to organise the annual rally at John O'Groats.
Fittingly, a fleet of vintage cars accompanied the hearse as David's funeral procession made its way from John O'Groats to Canisbay Parish Church earlier this month on a route that took in his birthplace at Roadside, Gills.
David had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in April this year and he passed away on October 5, aged 76.
The funeral was on October 8, with the Rev Janet Easton-Berry of Pentland Parish taking the service.
She told the large turnout of mourners that David had been the second-oldest child of a family of six.
Leaving school at 15, he became an apprentice mason with D M Geddes and worked there for five years. During this time he met Ethel, and they married at Canisbay on March 25, 1966 – David's 20th birthday.
They made their home of 52 years at Burnside Cottage, Gills, and had three of a family – Alan (born in 1966), Kate (1969) and Michael-James (1979).
After being made redundant, David worked long hours doing masonry work to provide for his family. In 1970 he teamed up with Donald Cameron to establish Green and Cameron – providing employment for many local people, something that continues to the present day.
David had a passion for vintage and classic vehicles, building up a collection of five – his first being a Wolseley 1500, purchased in 1978. He became a member of Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club, making lifelong friends through rallies held locally as well as in Orkney and Shetland, and as far away as Germany.
He was treasurer of the club for many years and took pride in helping to organise the annual John O’Groats rally which brought together fellow enthusiasts from across the far north and beyond. At this year's rally, held in June, David was presented with a certificate of honorary membership.
David and Ethel had moved to John O'Groats in 2018, with a short stay in a residential caravan while their home at Broadsea House was being built.
The Rev Easton-Berry pointed out that through his illness, and his gradual loss of mobility, David still focused on his main priorities of family, friends and his business.
With the support of his family, he was able to have day trips in his motorhome, breaks in Orkney and Inverness, meals out and walks along the shore with his mobility scooter.
David is survived by Ethel and their children Kate and Michael-James; Alan passed away at the age of 40. He was grandfather to James, Bryan, Emma, Hannah, David, Scott and Kyle, and great-grandad to Brody, Albany, Kayven, Isla and Lilia.
Members of the family drove David's cars on the journey to the church, with some of the club members following in their own vehicles. These were then set out in formation at the gates of the cemetery.
A collection raised £1755 for the MS Society.
