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Nwicker60
14-Jan-15, 10:06
A big man with a big heart mourners told

A BIG man with a big heart... that was how Allan Richard was described at his funeral service recently.
The description reflected the many facets of the 67-year-old farmer's life, touched on by the Rev. Esme Duncan in her eulogy, delivered appropriately at Auckengill Hall, which he supported for many years, 22 of them as chairman of its committee.
Rev.Duncan began by saying that Allan's sudden passing had come amid the celebration of Christmas and it was only natural to feel that tragedy and loss had no right to "gatecrash" the enjoyment of family gatherings.
She continued: "And yet, in this, and in years to come, Christmas will now mean a loss for many people far and near, for families and friends bereaved by the loss of the airbus over the Java Sea or the tragic crash in George Square, just days ago, or here, in our own community with Alan's sudden passing."
Allan, of Holman, Auckengill, was born in Wick on August 20, 1947, the youngest of five children to David and Margaret Richard and was educated at Wick North primary and the Wick High schools. When he left school, he went to work on the family farm which he had helped to run during the school holidays.
It was in the mid-1960s that Allan took a fancy to see a bit of the world and emigrated to Canada and a job with the Hudson Bay Company. But Caithness drew him back home in 1969 and he resumed his acquaintance with his wife-to-be Anne who had also returned home, having spent some time in Australia. They had kept in touch with each other while abroad and Rev Duncan triggered laughter among the many mourners when she added that Anne still treasured the three letters, Alan had sent her.
The couple were married in 1970 and set up home, first in the butt and ben at the farm and then in their new build home. They had five children, Peter, Marianne, Davie, Bruce and James who were all under the age of five at one point. They gave Allan and Anne 10 grandchildren who were the couple's pride and joy.
Allan was "a character", said Rev. Duncan, a people person, whose commitment to public life went beyond his service to his community hall. He was a councillor for the area for 11 years and also served on Wick Harbour Trust.
A man o' many pairts, Allan Richard was a keen angler and an admirer of Scotland's Bard, Rabbie Burns and was deeply innolved in the celebrations, frequently addressing the haggis at Auckengill Hall and at other celebrations throughout the county.
"Allan" said Rev. Duncan was "a good talker" and conscientous with it and added: "He would spend hours writing his addresseses...and I know what that means".
The friendships he had, were not only forged out and about, but while holding court with family and visitors in his kitchen and "woe betide a youngster that tried to occupy his favourite chair". He was " a thoroughly scocialble man, always eager for the company of his friends".
Rev. Duncan said that Allan was also a thoughful person, making time to write to people away from home or those down on their luck. "Allan had big hands and a big heart". She spoke of his support for his local church and of how he had rescued children from fire-hit cottages in the area. A special mention was made of the family's appreciation of the efforts of the emergency services and hospital staff for their professionalism at the time of Allan's sudden collapse.
Allan's son Bruce reminisced, about his dad, starting with a poem, his sister Marianne had composed for one of his birthdays, and fondly remembered anecdotes - the 'crack' at Keiss pub, the many debates with friends, putting the world to rights, and the pride he had in his family and their accomplishments.
Said Bruce: "He was never one to stand in our way and always let us take our own path in life.".
Following the service, Allan was laid to rest in Keiss cemetery.

See Allan in action at a Burns supper at the hall in 2007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBwBF9yGpXU#t=155