The family of a beloved Perth grandfather who died suddenly from Covid exactly two-and-a-half years ago will finally get together to celebrate his life this weekend.
Loved ones, some of whom have travelled to the Fair City from as far as North America, will attend a special evening at the Lovat Hotel tomorrow (June 3) to remember local favourite John Jackson.
A dedicated bowler and lifelong St Johnstone fan, John died in hospital on December 3, 2020 just six weeks after his 80th birthday.
The father-of-three contracted the virus after initially going into hospital with a suspected blood clot in his leg.
Hospitals were under Covid restrictions then, as was John’s funeral which took place at Perth Crematorium on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
Only 20 people were able to attend his touching service, with some close family not even able to travel for it.
John’s son Scott was sadly one of them. He was living in San Francisco at the time and could only watch the funeral via an online feed.
Now, three years on, John’s ashes will be taken by his family to Rumbling Bridge tomorrow morning, where they will be partially scattered, before they return to Perth for the Lovat Hotel gathering which will start at 6.30pm.
It promises to be a lively event with a bar area, some live music from John’s brother Derek among others, and his DJ grandson will finish the night with some classic numbers.
Caps, medals and shields won in John’s sporting days will also be on display.
Daughter Alison Ogilvie said it will be a chance for dozens of family members, friends, former work colleagues and former club mates to finally gather and pay their respects to John.
Alison, who lives in Canada and travelled to Scotland with her husband and four kids, said: “It was only a small funeral service, with 20 people maximum, for dad at Perth Crematorium due to the restrictions.
“Then we went on to McDiarmid Park for the wake.
“So many people could not go to his funeral. Many live so far away.
“But two-and-a-half years later to the day we are finally about to celebrate his life together properly.
“Because he was so sociable it was difficult to have any closure without everyone coming together.
“So it is a good reason to travel over and come back.
“It will be nice to have a bigger reunion for him. People have not had that for so long.”
She added: “In terms of family alone there will be 50 to 60 people there.
“There are relatives from England, Wales, Ireland, America and Canada coming.
“Most have not seen each other in years.
“I also contacted local people he knew to tell them about it.
“He knew so many people around here.
“There are people from way back who he worked with, played bowls with or even went to school with him.
“Many are people who, like him, never left Perth.”
John was well known about the city having lived there his entire life.
He was born on Glover Street in October 1940 and went on to enjoy success as a bowler for Darnhall, alongside mother Mabel, and then the West End Bowling Club.
He travelled everywhere to watch his beloved St Johnstone, and worked as a steward at the club.
The family spent many happy years living at Woodside Crescent before John began his career with McEwens of Perth and then Perth Racecourse.
He also worked at British Gas for many years, where he met his future wife Irene.
They went on to have their three children, Scott, Alison and David.
John and Irene spent their married life raising their family in Craigie over a span of 21 years, and became grandparents nine times.
Alison said her dad was a “larger than life” character.
“He loved his dancing, more for a laugh than anything else,” she said. “He acted 20 years younger than he was.
“Even in his 70s you could see him in the pubs and clubs in Perth at the weekends.
“He bowled right up until lockdown and was fit and active.
“He was larger than life.”
She added: “I live in Canada and my brother lives in America, but he could never understand why anyone would want to live anywhere other than Perth.
“We were going to sponsor him and bring him to Canada.
“He visited Canada not long before he died, which was special.
“But he could not picture himself anywhere other than Perth.
“We all miss him.”
● Anyone seeking more information on the service can email Alison at alijack2000@hotmail.com
