Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 09:30
A family affair
By Lynsey Knight
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Relatives of a Clydebank resident travelled from all over the globe to help celebrate his 100th birthday.
Alex Lawrence enjoyed a party with family from Thailand, Canada, and Texas, who travelled thousands of miles to be with him on his special day.
The theme for the party, at Hillview Nursing Home, Dalmuir, where Alex is a resident, was Hawaiian and everyone dressed up in flower garlands to add to the festivities.
Born in Edinburgh, Alex moved to Parkhall when he was a child.
He worked at Singers for 50 years and became the oldest member of the factory’s hockey team when he took up the sport in his late 40s.
He even played with the Scottish Veteran’s team.
Alex became firm friends with Colin Campbell through hockey.
Colin, from Kilbowie, told the Post: “The party was really excellent and there was a terrific turnout.
“Everyone had a great time and the staff were first class.
“The only thing was the telegram from the Queen did not arrive until Tuesday but we did have the Lord Lieutenant and the Provost there.
“Alex’s grandson read him the telegram once it arrived though.”
After Alex’s first wife passed away he lived with family in Texas for five years.
When he returned to Clydebank he met his second wife, Anne Kerr, who used to be his neighbour. The pair wed aged 74 and enjoyed 10 happy years together.
Alex always kept active and enjoyed going for long walks — sometimes up to 16 miles a day and also played bowls. He even won the Cathy Hunter thanksgiving cup with his bowling partner and best friend, Margaret Dobbie.
And he was still playing indoor bowls last Winter at Whitecrook Bowling Club.
His daughter June Tyrie, 70, travelled from America for the party along with five of Alex’s grandchildren, two great-grand children and three of his nieces.
June told the Post: “We had themed parties for his ninetieth and his ninety-fifth birthdays so this time we chose a Hawaiian theme.
“It turned out really good and all the patients, visitors and staff got to wear flowers in their hair, and the men wore hats and flower bandanas, and there were some grass skirts too.
“He’s a wonderful man and so many people know him from working at Singers for all that time.
“He’s had a good life, a grand life.”
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