A sad farewell to PA legend Graham
Long-time Perthshire Advertiser journalist Graham Fulton has died at the age of 87.
He passed away peacefully at Ninewells Hospital with his wife Evelyn by his side after being treated for the coronavirus.
Born and bred in Perth, Graham was highly respected in the Fair City during a journalistic career which combined his twin passions of football and theatre with the news, court and council coverage that is the staple of life on a local newspaper.
The respect he enjoyed is reflected in the breadth of the warm tributes being paid.
Graham’s illustrious career with the PA spanned nearly 50 years, beginning as an apprentice monotype operator in the days of hot metal printing before transferring to the editorial staff.
For many years, ever dapper Graham covered the fortunes – and often misfortunes – of his beloved St Johnstone from press boxes at Muirton and McDiarmid, and far beyond. A lifelong supporter and shareholder, he was thrilled to see Saints lift the Scottish Cup in 2014, in the company of brother Robin and close friend and former freelance photographer Louis Flood.
A one-time member of Perth Drama Club, Graham also trod the boards with minor roles at Perth Rep under the eye of legendary director Joan Knight.
Even in his days as a printer, Graham regularly contributed theatrical reviews to both the PA and The Stage magazine.
He interviewed stars as diverse as Eric Morecambe, Rikki Fulton, Patricia Routledge and Sue Holderness, who went on to star in ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
Graham was educated at Cherrybank and Craigie, declining the offer of a scholarship to Perth Academy to join friends at Balhousie, before securing an apprenticeship with the PA.
It went on hold until he returned from his National Service, “penpushing” with the RASC.
He met Evelyn at the St Leonard’s Church Fellowship and they married in 1958, celebrating their diamond anniversary two years ago.
In recent years, home has been Ancaster House in Crieff.
A former High Constable of the City of Perth, Justice of the Peace and honorary life member of the National Union of Journalists, Graham retired from the PA in 1997 along with Evelyn, who had been secretary to Lord Airlie at the General Accident.
They always enjoyed sunshine holidays and split their year between homes in Perth and Tenerife, where their hospitality was legendary.
A member of St John’s Kirk, Graham is survived by Evelyn and brother Robin.
The funeral, which, sadly, is restricted to close family by the emergency COVID-19 regulations, takes place at Perth Crematorium on Wednesday.