FORMER president of the Past Rotarians, Donald Fergus Ferguson, has died at the age of 92.

Always thought of as a Scotsman, Donald was actually born in Newcastle in 1924 and, after a family move to London, they then moved north of the border to Cambuslang in 1935.

After leaving Glasgow High School he was employed at the National Bank of Scotland at Rutherglen where he met his wife Sheila, a temporary cashier, whom he married in 1951.

"He volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1942 but sadly tuberculosis presented itself and he was discharged from the navy two years later, returning to work for the bank at Crosshill in Glasgow. After two more placements with the bank he was found to still have problems related to TB and had further treatment and surgery. His surgeons recommended that Glasgow was not the best environment for him so the bank transferred him to Banff on the north Aberdeenshire coast," said Daniel Campbell of Richmond Hill St Andrew's URC.

A devote Christian, Donald had for many years been a deacon in the church, and took part in reading the lessons for the hospital broadcasts while he was receiving treatment.

At Banff Donald and Sheila joined the Trinity Church, Donald becoming an Elder and Clerk to the Deacon's Court.

He was also the joint secretary and treasurer of Banff and White Hills RNLI and met the Queen when she visited the station to inspect a new boat, en rote to Balmoral.

Donald then moved to the bank at Cambuslang. He and Sheila attended St Andrew's Kirk where he was elected deputy Sessions Clerk. He also joined the Rotary Club, serving as treasurer and then president in 1987/88.

In retirement Donald was president of the Bournemouth Association for their golden jubilee year and then served as president for a third time in 2010/11.

"For many years, Donald and Shelia took annual holidays in Bournemouth, always staying in the same room in the same hotel on the East Cliff. When he retired, the move from Cambuslang to Highcliffe was almost home from home," said Daniel.

Donald regularly went to Lords to see Test matches, and became a life member of the Hampshire Cricket Club. After moving to Bournemouth, Donald and Shelia made their spiritual home at the former St Andrew's United Reformed Church in Exeter Road, forever known as the 'Scotch Church'. They were elected as Elders and Donald also became treasurer.

When Shelia became ill, Donald resigned his church Eldership to spend more time with her. After her death he moved to Sunrise at Southbourne where he passed away on April 13. His funeral was held at Richmond Hill St Andrew's URC on May 3.

"Donald was regarded as a true gentleman who despite his full life always had time to sit and talk to his many friends," said Daniel.