Former teacher and Morris Minor fan dies at 84

Frankie Treasurer, who had a passion for teaching, and was chairman of Scotland North East Morris Minor Club, has died at 84.

He had been principal teacher of modern studies at Hazlehead Academy, Aberdeen, after posts at Ellon and Hilton academies.

Frankie and his wife Lorna were married in St Joseph’s Church in 1957.

When he retired 20 years ago, Frankie and Lorna bought two Morris Minors, a 1959 convertible and a 1954 split-screen model.

He served as chairman of Scotland North East Morris Minor Club for about eight years and took part in the club’s own rally at Fyvie Castle and others around the north of Scotland.

A procession of Morris Minors is expected to join Frankie’s funeral cortege.

He was born in Aberdeen to John, a maritime engineer and Jessie, a nurse. The third youngest of 11 children he was educated at St Peter’s Primary School.

He served his time as a butcher and also studied to become a meat inspector.

But Frankie did not pursue a career in the meat trade, instead joining GW Bruce at Rubislaw quarry, where he became a foreman.

He had also been a skilled footballer who once turned out for Aberdeen FC before an injury forced him to retire.

He then directed his love of the game into refereeing junior and amateur games.

One night in 1955, Frankie’s life changed when, while out with a friend, they stopped at the Argosy dance hall in Bucksburn.

Wife Lorna said: “He walked in, spotted me and said to his friend he was going to marry me. I had seen him come in and said to my friend I had to speak to him.

“It was love at first sight and we were together for the rest of his life.”

Lorna added: “My husband had always wanted to teach even from childhood.

“He loved education and reading.

“In his early 30s he went to Aberdeen University to study economics and history and stayed on to gain his Masters in Education.”

Frankie’s first teaching post was at Ellon Academy and he became principal teacher of modern studies at Hilton Academy.

After it closed, he became the principal teacher of modern studies at Hazlehead Academy and served for eight years until his retirement.

CLASSIC: Frankie Treasurer shows off a Morris Minor.