Four decades of Rotary work

Brigantes Rotary Club are mourning the loss of one of its oldest members.

Gordon Whitehead died aged 89 and the club is paying tribute to his work, spanning four decades of dedication to Rotary.

A devoted family man, Gordon moved with his wife Ishbel and his four children to Harrogate in 1974 and joined the Brigantes Rotary Club just one year after its formation in 1980.

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In 1991 he became the Club President. He set up and developed the Shop Mobility charity service in Harrogate and helped with the growth of Essential Needs, which helps local people by re-directing furniture and household items to those in need.

Spokesman Tony Doveston said: “His work in meeting the ideals of Rotary resulted in Gordon receiving Rotary’s prestigious award of a Paul Harris Fellowship.

“He continued to be a great supporter of the club and its fundraising activities.

“When he retired from full Rotary membership in 2018 he remained an Honorary Member.”

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Gordon hailed from Newcastle and it was at the Robert Stewart Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fenham that he met Ishbel who had just moved with her family to the North East from Paisley. They were married on March 24 1956.

Gordon at that time was working for the Port of Tyne Authority but was soon off to do National Service.

Gordon was a founding member of the Ponteland Round Table and later the Forty-One Club.

He moved on to work for a printing firm and then to Underwood typewriters. When Olivetti took over they gave him a car and he drove all over the country but didn’t like the travelling.

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He and Ishbel and their growing family almost moved to Edinburgh but eventually he took a job in Leeds and they moved to Harrogate.

While Ishbel helped for many years at a play group in Huby, Gordon worked for a comptometer firm. Comptometers were a forerunner of computers and this was how he got into electronics and helped to found Yorkshire Electronics Services.

On moving to Harrogate Gordon and Ishbel joined St Paul’s URC church, and they became heavily involved for the rest of their lives, being members, Stewards and then Elders of the church.

After retiring Gordon took on the role of Church Secretary for many years, including steering the church through its three-year period of ministerial vacancy.

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During this time he became a Temporary Registrar so that the church could continue to hold marriage services.

He was part of the Fellowship Group, helped to set up the weekly coffee shop and sang in the church choir.

His knowledge of computers meant he was also instrumental in the updating of the church’s audio system 18 years ago. This involved installing computer controls for the new audio, lighting and projection equipment.

When Gordon and Ishbel moved to the apartments at Park Place in 2010, Gordon joined the management committee and was Secretary from 2012-14.

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Both were also part of the St Andrews Society in Harrogate, holding ceilidhs and then more latterly coffee mornings.

While Ishbel was President, Gordon worked behind the scenes doing paperwork and administration.

Gordon loved singing and, as well as joining the church choir, he was also part of the Harrogate Harmony ensemble. He and Ishbel celebrated their Diamond Wedding in 2016.

The family connection with Rotary continues through Gordon’s son-in law Andy who is a member of Brigantes, as indeed was his grandson Callum when he lived in the area.

“Gordon will be remembered by all who knew him as a lovely man, who was unstinting in his service to others and who will be much missed by his family and friends,” added Tony.

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