Last of a jute family dies, 92

MICHAEL Hill, last of the Don Brothers Buist jute family, has died just short of his 93rd birthday.

He will be remembered in Angus as the driving force behind Strathmore Hospice, Lippen Care.

Michael Henry James Hill was born on May 10 1929 to Lionel and Barbara.

Lionel, sometime provost of Forfar, was chairman of family firm Don Brothers Buist.

During the war, Michael studied at Winchester College where he was instilled with a love of nature.

After national service in Nigeria, he studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and graduated with a degree in zoology and botany.

Following graduation, he worked for Boots in Nottingham before returning to Forfar in the late 1950s, where he spent the rest of his life.

He began working at Dons and oversaw the modernisation of the jute works with the production of polypropylene.

He served a period as chairman of Dundee Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the finance committee of the British Standards Institute, for which he was awarded the OBE.

His life took a decisive turn in 1986 when Dons was sold and he took early retirement.

He spent the last few years of his life at The Glade care home in Brechin.

He is survived by his four children – Nicola, Emma, Peter and Sophie – their spouses and his six grandchildren.

A memorial and celebration of his life will take place on Friday June 24 at St John’s Church and the Murton Nature Reserve to which his many friends are warmly invited.

Michael Hill