Tribute to Peter J MacDonald
SRC Coach and SRAC Honorary Life President

The recent passing of Peter J MacDonald was a devastating blow to family and friends and a loss to the community in Lewis. Also known locally as Peter the Gardener, he was born in Glasgow, raised in Knightswood of island parents.

From his early years growing up in Glasgow Peter had the need to feed an inquisitive and hungry mind; hence his awareness of the world and those around him was spot on. What many may not notice on a bus ride in the city, Peter would spot and put in the file of his mind, for later reference. He never missed a trick! His care for those around him was evident throughout his life and as early as his late teens Peter was actively involved with Youth in the community. His first involvement with “youngsters” (as he’d always say himself) was at the Drumchapel Youth Club. This would only be the start of his youth involvement that he would devote so much time, especially to Stornoway Running Club, of which he was a founder member in 1985.

Having qualified as a horticulturalist with Glasgow Corporation, Peter was for moving back “home”. Though living in Knightswood home for the family was Lewis! After a successful application as Clerk of Works in the grounds department of the Council, Peter’s move was the impetus for most of the family to follow him home.

In Stornoway Peter continued his zeal for working with “youngsters” as senior coach of Stornoway Running Club (SRC), a role he put unselfish hours of work into.  Nothing was too big an effort for Peter and no activity too daunting if there was fun and enjoyment at the end of it all for the SRC “youngsters”. He undoubtedly made a huge impact on many island children’s lives in a very positive way that will have life long memories to those that benefited from his efforts. Today Stornoway Running and Athletics Club have an active junior membership of close to 90 “youngsters”. They often perform successfully on running tracks and cross country courses all over Scotland; some have even represented Scotland. “From small seeds do mighty oaks grow” can be attributed in many ways to the founding work of coach Peter!

Twelve years ago Peter found out he had only one kidney and - needing to be replaced! Luckily a transplant became available and following the operation his thankfulness was demonstrated. Peter became a founding member of the Western Isles Kidney Patients Association in 2001, in which he was passionately involved. Throughout his years with SRC he was always keen to run for charity and now a new goal was set with WIKPA; raising funds to assist those needing help with travel costs to the mainland for dialysis and to establish a local renal unit for dialysis. His contribution in this will forever be a benefit to renal patients in the Western Isles.

Peter will be fondly remembered by Jane, children Francis and Samantha, his brothers and sisters, wife Jenny and those who ever spent quality time with him! It is with a smile of good memories we all remember Peter.

RM