Former Aberdeen journalist and grandson of the legendary Aberdeen FC manager of the same name, David Halliday, has passed away aged 64.
Raised in South America
David Halliday – known as Dave to friends – was born on August 11 1958 in Ellon. His parents were Elizabeth and Nigel Halliday who both worked in telecommunications; Elizabeth as a telephonist and Nigel as a telephone engineer.
Through Nigel’s work the family, including David’s brother and sister, moved to Peru. Laying telephone cables in the South American country, Nigel and his family were based abroad for five years.
On returning to the UK they lived in Coventry. There David attended Blue Coat Church of England School and began his lifetime devotion to Coventry City FC.
Life and work in Peterhead
David returned to the north-east when he was 17, this time to Peterhead. He worked in the Cleveland factory as a machinist and in 1978 met Maureen Lawrie.
The pair were married in the town’s registry office on May 16, 1980. Their reception was held at the Palace Hotel and they moved into their first home on Berryden Road.
In the same year, David completed an English degree with the Open University which changed his career trajectory. He got a job at the Buchan Observer as a compositor where he quickly fell in love with the putting together of the newspaper.
In 1981 Maureen and David’s first daughter Nicola was born and their second, Natalie, arrived in 1984.
Aberdeen Journals
From the Observer, Dave moved to the Gilcomston Press in Aberdeen, before joining Aberdeen Journals in 1999.
He worked in The Press and Journal Apple Mac department then joined the news sub-editing team. He eventually netted his dream job with The Press and Journal’s sport team.
In 2006 David and his family moved from Peterhead to Aberdeen as Maureen, who had been working in retail, was retraining as a nurse at Aberdeen University. Relocating to the city was closer to David’s job too. Although they moved house several times, for most of their time in Aberdeen they lived in Danestone.
Missed by colleagues
David retired from the Journals in 2018 following a final few months as a member of a newly-formed sub-editing pool.
In a tribute at the time, colleagues said his presence as a sub-editor would be sorely missed, especially by those on the sports desk who relied on his calming influence, adding that he was a man who maintained the highest of standards, and whose reliability and consistency would be impossible to replace.
Dons heritage
Despite many years being enveloped in up-to-the-minute Aberdeen FC news through work, Dave remained a loyal Coventry FC fan throughout his life.
However, The Dons did have a special place in his heart due to his grandfather –Â and namesake – being a former Aberdeen manager.
Inducted into several halls of fame, which David was incredibly proud of, he spent countless hours researching his grandfather’s career.
Although it became somewhat of an obsession he always made time for his family, especially his five grandchildren, and his beloved dogs.
A lover of music – especially Elvis Presley, and a great cook, David passed away at home on October 28, unexpectedly but peacefully.
Family tribute
A private service to celebrate David’s life was to take place on Wednesday November 9 at Aberdeen Crematorium.
On behalf of the family, Nicola paid tribute to her father.
She said: “My dad loved his job and really found his fit when he began working in newspapers. He was fanatical about grammar and took a lot of pride in his work.
“It hasn’t really sunk in that he’s no longer here. He’s a big loss. We’re taking a lot of comfort from the fact his death appeared to be very peaceful.”
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