A THANKSGIVING service will take place next week to celebrate the life of a Barrhead man who died on an Indian Ocean island after contracting malaria.
John Angus Morrison, 59, took ill on Madagascar, where he spent much of his time using his skills to help those living in poverty.
He died on March 20 and was cremated in the capital Antananarivo on April 8, with his remains repatriated to Scotland two weeks later.
His family has arranged the thanksgiving service at St Andrew’s Parish Church, which will take place on Wednesday, May 17, to give people in his home town the chance to say a final goodbye.
John Angus was educated at Springhill Primary and Barrhead High before becoming an apprentice engineer with Babcock.
In later life, he split his time between running a bed and breakfast on the Isle of Lewis and teaching English at a school in the Madagascan town of Fort Dauphin.
During his time there, he raised funds to provide the school with new whiteboards, water filters and a toilet and shower block.
Around £1,800 was provided by the congregation at St Andrew’s Church, where his parents and other loved ones worship.
John Angus had visited Madagascar a number of times and flew out on his latest mercy mission on New Year’s Day.
His older brother Iain, 61, told the Barrhead News: “He would go for a three-month spell at the start of every year to teach and help the local people.
“Even when he was stuck in Scotland during lockdown, he would send them money to buy big bags of rice so they could feed themselves.
“He had a dry sense of humour and was loved by people across the world for what he did for them.
“After he died, the local people had a special service for him at the English school where he taught and put up a wooden plaque in his memory.”
A JustGiving page has been set up in memory of John Angus, so his good work in Madagascar can continue.
Money raised will go to The Community English Centre of Fort Dauphin, where he taught, and the nearby Robin Hood Community Clinic, which provides medical services.
John Angus is also survived by his sister Marlene and younger brother David.
The thanksgiving service starts at 2pm and will also be live-streamed via the church’s website.
The family have asked that people dress informally and head along to Fereneze Golf Club afterwards to “raise a toast” to John Angus.
Donations to the JustGiving page can be made by clicking here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here