Tributes have been made to a "remarkable" Edinburgh dad after he passed away from cancer earlier this week.
Tom Flockhart, 73, was described as "larger than life" after the businessman faced a recent diagnosis with the disease, which sees him leave behind his four children Pamela, Stuart, Neil and Lynsey, seven grandchildren, and his partner Mandy.
Originally from Prestonpans, Tom had come from humble beginnings, growing up as an adopted child in a local council house.
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Despite a modest background, friends and family of Tom explained his drive and ambition had seen him go on to build a huge business empire that eventually saw him living on Moray Place.
A "charismatic" figure, the charming Edinburgh dad and grandad had founded Capital Documents Solutions in 1979, after being said to have always had a passion for business.
From a young age Tom showed an entrepreneurial streak, working schoolboy jobs including gardening, paper rounds, fixing up old bikes and even selling sweets and haircuts to the other children in school.
He went on to complete an apprenticeship at Ferranti and gained an HND in Mechanical Engineering and would often jokingly recall how during his apprenticeship he was given his most important career advice when his boss advised him to get a job in sales. In 1970, he took that advice, securing a role with 3M selling photocopiers.
A naturally gifted salesman, by the age of 30 he had been 3M’s top copier salesman in the UK for three successive years and was determined to strike out on his own.
Speaking about her boss, Lynn Harrison, Tom’s PA for the past 17-years, said: “We are all in shock. To describe him as larger than life doesn’t do him justice. He was passionate, driven and once you met him, you certainly couldn’t forget him.
“He was working right up until the end, still going over documents and putting in his thoughts and ideas for a Scottish Government tender.”
A huge family man, loved ones said Tom's "love for life was infectious", and are now asking for those who knew him to send in their memories and tributes to 90TFmemories@gmail.com.
Lynn added: “For all of these reasons, even competitors are saddened by his loss as no-one could fail to respect what he did for the whole sector.”
His legacy is his passion for integrity and quality, which has been instilled in his family, and the culture at Capital.
Lynn said: “Tom was a remarkable man and was dedicated to sharing his knowledge, insights and what he had learned. Whether networking with business leaders, going back to Preston Lodge to give talks to pupils or running training for new salespeople, he was incredibly generous in giving his time and sharing his experiences.
“He never held back on that because he wanted people to get on, to have the tools to better themselves. He was never jealous or begrudged other people their success – he really admired people doing well. He was an outstanding motivator who helped shape the lives of so many people in so many different ways.
“While we are all feeling his loss profoundly, our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.”
Tom’s funeral will be held at Warriston Crematorium at 12pm on Tuesday May 10, followed by a celebration of his life at Prestonfield House Hotel from 2pm. Family flowers only.
