Inspirational teacher Sandy Gossip, aged 67

A popular PE teacher who inspired dozens of pupils to get active has died at the age of 67.

Sandy Gossip was head of PE at Morgan Academy in Dundee for 24 years, and was dedicated to developing his pupils’ skills and building up their confidence as they tried new sports.

Away from school, he was passionate about getting his local community active and ran keep-fit classes – which were often over-subscribed – first in Broughty Ferry and then in Fowlis.

Following his retirement in 2010, Mr Gossip and his wife Jacqui enjoyed numerous holidays together frequenting parts of France and Spain where they loved to indulge in walking and cycling pursuits while absorbing the local culture.

The couple also liked to organise trips away with friends, with many happy memories made in Barcelona, Tallinn, Nice, Aix en Provence and Madrid.

Born and bred in Dundee, Mr Gossip was the youngest of three children – arriving just 15 minutes after twin brother Ian.

Older sister Sally was often called upon to break up squabbles between the twins, who had very different personalities.

However they were united in their love of rugby and played for Dundee High School together and, in later life, enjoyed discussing the latest Scotland performance after attending games at Murrayfield.

Mr Gossip was a keen family man, and played a key part at gatherings – with his gregarious, fun personality often making him the centre of attention, or the root of the mischief.

A keen cook, he enjoyed entertaining both family and friends and regularly combined the two with a summer barbecue at the family cottage in Strathardle, which culminated in games of rounders and football in a neighbouring field.

The cottage was also where Mr Gossip picked up many of the DIY skills that made him well-known in Liff for helping his neighbours.

Always happy to help – and reluctant to be idle – Mr Gossip was often out repairing roofs, putting up fencing, laying slabs or cutting back trees.

Mr Gossip loved staying in the village and its community spirit.

He organised a French boules competition held for several years at Fowlis Community Hall and which was well supported.

Most recently, he organised training sessions for the community defibrillator – even though he was too ill to attend himself after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in March.

He and Jacqui – who had been together for 40 years – married privately at Roxburghe House, Dundee, on July 2 with the “angels” at the hospice ensuring they had a special day.

Mr Gossip died on Thursday August 8. Donations at his funeral raised more than £1,000 for Roxburghe House and Cancer Research UK.

Mr Gossip was head of PE at Morgan Academy, Dundee, for 24 years.