Ex-DC Thomson employee Albert Blair

The funeral takes place today of Dundee church elder and former DC Thomson employee Albert Blair, who died aged 86.

Mr Blair was born the only child of David and Caroline Burgess Blair in Crescent Lane, Dundee, on August 3 1930.

He attended the Middle School in Stobswell and left to become an apprentice engineer aged 15, having lost his mother to an accident at an early age.

Starting his career with Lamb’s Garage in Trades Lane on July 29 1946, Mr Blair was an accomplished student with the Dundee Technical College and earned a number of diplomas.

The garage frequently wrote to his father with reports on studies and his fastidiousness in the workplace.

When he became eligible for national service, Mr Blair joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, training at Blandford with the No 1 Trig Battalion, B Company, 5 Platoon.

He went to work in a string of Ministry of Supply workshops on repairing vehicles until discharge in 1953, and was awarded the Defence Medal for service.

Mr Blair worked with the Co-operative on its vehicle fleet from 1956 to 1962. He then joined DC Thomson and was a supervisor on the production of the People’s Friend and other publications.

He was an elder and committee member of Trinity Parish Church, near his birthplace, and taught Sunday School there.

Mr Blair was well-travelled and collected souvenirs from around the world as well as vintage drawings of old Dundee.

He latterly lived in Pentland Crescent and was recovering from an operation at Ninewells Hospital when he died suddenly due to heart problems.

He is survived by his niece Carol in Carnoustie, and her children Natalie and Scott.

The service will take place at his church at 1.30pm, followed by interment at the Eastern Cemetery around 2.30pm.