Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has paid a heartfelt tribute to his dad, Ernest Gove of Aberdeen, who has died aged 86.
“I owe everything I’ve ever achieved to him. I was very lucky to have him.
“What is absolutely true is that I wouldn’t be who I am, nor would I have achieved any of what I have without my parents,” Michael told the Press and Journal.
Ernest, a former city fish merchant, father and grandfather, remained at the heart of his community, and devoted to his family, something, said Michael, that he’ll be forever grateful for.
“I’d love for my dad to be remembered just as he was. A hard worker, a good businessman and someone who always cared about other people, someone who always tried to give a start to people others didn’t see the potential in.
“He always looked out for boys who had come from care homes, for example,” said the Levelling Up secretary.
Raised in the fishing industry
Born September 28, 1936, in Aberdeen to Ernest Snr and his wife Williamina, Ernest Jnr was one of six children for the hardworking couple who owned and ran EE Gove and Sons – a fish merchants and processing business – based in the city.
He attended Walker Road Primary School then Torry Academy where he was a keen footballer. He went on to play for Newtonhill and under the encouragement of his dad, also showed promise as an amateur boxer.
On leaving school at 15 he joined the family business, however it wasn’t long before National Service came calling. Ernest served in the army as part of the Signals, in Suez and Cyprus where he carried on boxing.
Romance on the rink
On his return to the city after two years away Ernest resumed work with his father.
He became a member of Aberdeen Amateur Boxing Club and the Masons, and in 1957, during some well deserved time off, Ernest met 18-year-old Christine Bruce.
“They were both at the skating and dad quite literally swept her off her feet. It was certainly a ‘love at first sight’ story,” said Michael.
Ernest and Christine, who hailed from Old Aberdeen, had a three-month engagement before they married in St Fittick’s Church in Torry, on September 19, 1959. It was the same church Ernest was christened in. Their first home was in Erskine Street before later moving to Rosehill Drive, where they remained.
Family life
Both Ernest and Christine loved to spend time together, and before children took advantage of their ability to go on holiday and travel. A keen motorist too, Ernest toured around Europe with his wife in an MG Spitfire. Greece and Crete became favourite destinations, as did their visits to America to see Ernest’s sister Betty.
In 1967 the Goves grew their family through adoption. Michael, who was born in August 1967 arrived in December that same year. And Angela, his younger sister, was born in January 1972 and completed their family that summer.
“I think the best way to describe my dad would be an enthusiast for what interested us. He was always active, always keen to support what we wanted to do. When I wanted to read books he would take me to Central Library.
“The same applied with my sister. Dad was always driving us back and forth to Aberdeen School for the Deaf, so we could learn sign language to support Angela,” said Michael.
Happy memories
Spending time with his family, despite a heavy workload, was a theme played out throughout Ernest’s life.
“My father worked hard, as all people in the fishing industry did but his time with us was just as important.
“He’d leave for work really early in the morning, then would often come back as we returned from school. I have memories of him taking me and my sister back there [to the fish house] in evenings. Back then the yellow fish were hung up on metal hooks to be smoked over wood chippings.
“These are wonderful memories to have. As are those of being at Pittodrie with my dad and grandfather.”
‘Known and loved’
In the 1980s Ernest sold his business to Couper Seafood but carried on working as the firm’s product manager for another decade before retiring.
He found pleasure in golf, gardening and bird watching but he particularly loved having time to visit his children, and their children.
However, one enduring source of joy was was derived from longstanding friendships.
“He was a chatty, vibrant man who loved to have a drink with his friends. I mean these were men that for years were bidding against each other in the mornings and putting the world to rights in the evening.
“Everyone we have spoken to described dad as a key member of the Aberdeen fishing community and he never forgot the friends from where he grew up either. It was a bond that never lessened. He was very well known and, I believe, loved.”
‘Lucky to have him as a dad’
As his family matured Ernest and Christine became known for one more thing: As the parents of “Conservative MP Michael Gove”.
Although much has been reported about Ernest’s alleged long-held Labour beliefs the reality was less straight forward.
Michael, now the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, explained.
He said: “It’s certainly true that there were many interesting conversations over the years. Mum has always been a Labour voter but my dad varied over the years. What is absolutely true is that I wouldn’t be who I am, nor would I have achieved any of what I have without my parents.
“They were there in the gallery during the Queen’s speech at the opening of parliament when I was first elected as an MP. I tried to ask Tony Blair a question, which I thought they would like, but didn’t quite get in there.
“I had a great father. He cared about what I cared about, and supported both myself and my sister in all we did. I was very lucky indeed.”
Health challenges
Over recent years Ernest faced increasing issues with his health.
He developed diabetes on top of a pre-existing heart condition and would eventually also suffer a stroke.
“His health began to fail over the last year really, and mum looked after him throughout that time. As he became less mobile it was for us to come to him, which of course we did. Over the last while I’ve been able to be here with him from time to time. Sadly, however, he was admitted to hospital on the Wednesday after Christmas for the last time. ”
‘Twinkly eyed right to the end’
Ernest passed away in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Sunday January 8, aged 86.
A final celebration of his life will take place at Aberdeen Crematorium’s West Chapel on Monday January 23 where Michael will say a few words.
“My dad was at the heart of the fishing community and the heart of our family. Twinkly-eyed and interested in everything, right to the end.”
Ernest is survived by his wife Christine and his son Michael and daughter Angela. He was also a proud and devoted grandfather to Connor, Ben, Beatrice, William and Abbie.
Conversation