Retired lorry driver and cattery owner Robbie Stewart from Insch began his life surrounded by animals and, thanks to loyal friends, his final send off will be the same.
For the 71-year-old father-of-four who loved his pets – and looking after the animals of others – will be buried with his dog Alfie, while dog walkers and their four-legged friends will line the entrance to the church where his funeral is to take place.
Moray born
Robert Charles Stewart – always known as Robbie – was born on August 30 1951 in Keith.
Though he and his parents lived with his grandmother in Southside croft, Largie, he went to work with his father. Bob Stewart, an ex-prisoner of war, worked as a “tree dragger” while wife Winnie looked after the family home, Robbie and his sister.
Robbie attended Largie Primary School before moving on to the secondary school in Insch. He left school before his 15th birthday.
Already working on the croft most days and dragging wood with his father, he then secured paid work as a woodcutter with Riddoch of Rothiemay.
Falling in love
In 1972 Robbie met Heather Grant. Friends with the boyfriend of Heather’s sister they eventually started courting. The young couple married on march 27 1981 in Inverurie registry office before heading to Aviemore for a few days on honeymoon.
They lived in a cottage in Insch, and in 1974 Robbie qualified as an HGV driver for Mansel Watson. After marriage he also took on livestock work with Seys of Hunty.
Settling into family life meant buying a home, and with a mortgage to pay Robbie began long-distance driving with JG McWilliam. Despite the extra pay for being away from home, he still needed extra work and worked as a bouncer at the Commercial Hotel disco.
In 1981 Robbie and Heather’ son Darren was born, followed by Heather in 1984, Julie in 1985 and Shona in 1990.
Aristocats
Although trained nurse Heather took on the demanding role of managing the home and growing family, Robbie was also a hands-on dad. As they children grew up and Heather returned to work she suffered a back injury in 2000 resulting in multiple surgeries. Robbie immediately made sure he was there for his family.
The drop in wage from having to stop long-distance driving and Heather not being able to work, however, created a new opportunity for the couple. A friend was selling his cattery business and Robbie, who had grown up around animals, decided to buy it over. He continued to take on local driving jobs too.
“My dad loved Aristocats. It was a “round the clock” business though. And dad’s attitude to it was that we were there all the time if people needed us,” said Robbie’s daughter Heather.
“There was no sticking to business hours. He’d be saying ‘just come in whenever you want.’ Eight in the morning until eight at night 365 days a year. Folk still appeared at 10pm with their cats and that was never a bother.”
As his loyal clientele grew – returning again and again over 20 years – Robbie had to be creative.
“He didn’t want to turn people away so he started feeding cats at their homes. We later discovered he was watering people’s gardens and polytunnels, and feeding their chickens too. Even though he was feart of them.”
Health challenges
In 2001 Robbie discovered he had bowel cancer. An operation to remove a foot of his bowel saved his life and although it was a challenging recovery he was in good health for many years afterwards. However, in 2017 he had a heart attack which meant the whole family “chipping in” to keep the business going, especially Shona who was still living at home.
Heather added: “My dad was never one to keep still so his goal was to get his license back so he could drive again. Mum had him on a very strict diet which helped regenerate his heart.
“He did get his license back and found work with agencies, and was back at the helm in the cattery too.”
He also worked for Insch and Inverurie skip companies a few times a week, and worked for Mac Gas before retiring from driving, focusing mainly on Aristocats.
Final walk in the woods
With more time on his hands Robbie liked to walk his dog Archie in the woods near his home, and latterly took to making bird houses for family, friends and local schools. He also enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren.
He joined Insch bowling club and although he did enjoy holidays at home and abroad, being away for so many years through work, he especially loved being at home with his family.
On Sunday February 26 he had walked the dog as normal in the morning. He returned home before telling Heather he was going back to the woods.
“He told my mum he was ‘away doon to potter about with branches’. He had been on the phone, texting a friend back and forth. Then he called and they were enjoying dad’s banter when the phone just rustled and it went quiet mid-laughter,” said Heather.
“That was it. He slipped away, while laughing. When we went to see him he had a slight smile on his face. It’s funny you know, we always used to say there was no hanging around with dad, he was just ‘up and away’. And sure enough, that’s how he died too: just up and away. Just like that.”
Fitting farewell
A celebration of Robbie’s life is to take place on March 18, at Insch Parish Church. He will travel to his funeral on the back of a McWilliams lorry, the same one he used to drive.
Dog walkers who know him from the woods will form a guard of honour at the doors to the church and Werther’s Originals – the sweet he always had in his pocket to give away to friends and grandkids – will be handed out to mourners.
“When I need you,” the song that meant a lot to Heather and Robbie, while he worked away, will also be played and Robbie will be buried alongside the ashes of his former dog Alfie, who died four years ago.
He is survived by Heather, who he was married to for almost 42 years, “but loved for 50”. He also leaves behind his children and six grandchildren, Alesha, Sarah, Freddy, Grant, Lewis and Rory.
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