Jim, Jimmy, stewartie, the Provost... farewell to Comrie’s biggest supporter

A Perthshire community bade farewell to its chief supporter last thursday.

there was standing room only at the funeral of Comrie stalwart Jimmy stewart who died on July 15 at the age of 80.

Jim, Jimmy, stewartie, the Provost – only called James by his late mother – Jimmy was heavily involved in village life.

He was at the forefront of establishing the Comrie Fortnight and was a past chairman of Comrie Community Council, Comrie Fortnight, Comrie Pipe Band and Comrie rovers.

Known as the voice of Comrie Flambeaux, Jimmy was treasurer and MC for Comrie Flambeaux Association, secretary of Lochearnhead games for a number of years, long time member of Comrie’s War Memorial committee and past master of Comrie’s Lodge 269 st Kessac’s, where he took pleasure in reminding his fellow Masons that he was the oldest past master.

For Jimmy, it was never about who you were or where you came from, what was important to him was what people did for Comrie and for the benefit of the community.

Jimmy had a tremendous drive to get things done and was always quick to help those in need, doing good work in front and behind the scenes.

Never missing any opportunity to promote his beloved Comrie at home and overseas, along with wife Barbara, the couple were instrumental in the early years of the village’s twinning with Carelton Place in Canada where Jimmy, with his good pal the late Jimmy McEwan and members of Comrie Pipe Band, made two successful trips, cementing the trans-Atlantic link and creating many lasting friendships.

Jimmy and Barbara later arranged exchange visits for the younger members of each community.

An accomplished moothie player, Jimmy was a great lover of scottish culture with a particular interest in scottish music, and loved nothing better than a good scottish singsong.

A leading member of the Comrie scotland supporter’s Club, over the years he enjoyed many happy trips here and abroad to watch scotland play football and rugby.

Jimmy’s early years were spent in Aberfeldy before moving with his late parents and sister Betty to green End, Ochtertyre.

He met Barbara at a dance in Monzievaird Hall. they married in 1962 and, with an expanding family, they moved to Comrie in 1969 and fell in love with the village.

Jimmy is survived by wife Barbara, sister Betty, daughter Jackie, sons Kenny, Colin and James, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.