Mr Donald John Munro, Evelix

[Sir.Mike]

DONALD was born at Park Cottage, Golspie, eldest son of Hugh and Ina
Munro and brother to Forbes. He was educated at Golspie primary and
secondary schools. He left school in 1951 aged 16 and started work
with Sutherland County Council in the finance department.

In 1953, Donald left Golspie and spent two years in the RAF doing
National Service where he achieved the rank of corporal. The RAF were
keen for him to remain in service after completion of his compulsory
two years, but Donald wanted to come home to Golspie where he returned
to his job with the council.

During the next 20 years, Donald covered all sections connected with
the finance department and was also assistant registrar. In 1975,
after reorganisation, he became Sutherland District Council's first
district amenities officer, a post he held until his retirement in
1995 – a total of 44 years' service.

Within the community he was always involved in the organisation and
running of many events. He was secretary of the local Youth
Fellowship, treasurer of Golspie High School former pupils' society,
and treasurer of the Sutherland Agricultural Society for over 30
years. He held the post of secretary of the Dornoch Pipe Band and then
joint treasurer/secretary, giving them around 20 years of service. He
was treasurer to the Dingwall branch of the National Ankylosing
Spondylitis Society (NASS).

He was a clerk and announcer for the Dornoch Highland Gathering for 51
years, and was a clerk for the sheepdog trials both at national and
local level. He organised and ran the stewarding for both National
Mods held in Golspie, in 1977 and 1995. He was one of the founding
committee members responsible for setting up the Sutherland Sports
Council. He helped run dances for many of the above organisations, as
well as the Golspie Football Club and Birichen Children's Party. He
compered concerts and helped with various events during Golspie Gala
Week for several years.

Donald was well known throughout the Highlands as a Freemason, having
joined Lodge St Andrew in 1957. He affiliated to Lodge St Gilbert upon
moving to Dornoch, where he rose to Right Worshipful Master. He then
took up the post of treasurer, which he held for 20 years. He was
presented with his 50 years' certificate from Lodge St Gilbert in
2007. He was also a member of Dornoch Royal Arch, again rising to the
office of Right Worshipful Master.

Through his role as amenities officer, Donald travelled widely
throughout Britain assisting the Sutherland Tourist Board in marketing
the county. He was also one of the leading lights in setting up the
twinning of Sutherland with Zetel and, through the connections he
made, continued to make many private trips which helped strengthen
this relationship.

Donald organised with his German counterpart and firm friend, Wilhelm
Harenberg, many successful exchange trips to Zetel for the Dornoch
Pipe Band and other parties. He was instrumental in setting up the
Friends of Zetel, to which he has been chairman and treasurer, and he
also organised excursions and social events for the German parties
during their visits to Sutherland. He continued to maintain the bonds
and friendships made on these trips long into retirement, returning to
Germany for a holiday most years until he was unable to do so through
failing health.

Donald married Marie Grant in January 1963 in Dornoch Free Church.
They moved to Fraser Street in Golspie during which time they had two
sons, Robert and Donald.

In April 1974 they moved to Marie's old family home at Evelix where
Donald enjoyed his garden and grew vegetables most years. He was an
avid reader of a wide variety of newspapers, which he was loath to
part with.

He loved the company of his three grandchildren and was immensely
proud of all their achievements.

While his health was still good, he and Marie enjoyed a wide and
varied social life, particularly Scottish music and dancing. For many
years, they took in the New Year at the Priory Hotel in Beauly where
they made a great many friends.

Donald suffered for over 50 years from ankylosing spondylitis, a
disease of the spine. He suffered many uncomfortable symptoms
associated with this disease but always had a cheery and positive
outlook. Sadly, Donald's health deteriorated towards the end of 2007
and by June 2008 he was admitted to Raigmore Hospital where he spent
his final weeks. His condition was improving when sadly he suffered a
chest infection from which he did not recover.

Donald's funeral, conducted by the Rev Susan Brown, took place on
Thursday, 31st July, in Dornoch Cathedral. The Cathedral was full to
capacity, the congregation including two friends, Hans Otto Bangemann
and Gerd Von Busch, who had made a special trip from Germany to attend
and having brought with them splendid floral tributes from personal
friends, the German Council and The Friends of Sutherland. This indeed
was a measure of the esteem in which Donald was held.

The service was a celebration of Donald's life and brought great
comfort to his family and friends. Sadly, Donald's brother Forbes was
unable to attend the service due to illness.

The interment took place in Golspie Cemetery where more mourners
joined the cortege. A touching eulogy was given by Hans Otto Bangemann
on behalf of all Donald's friends in Zetel, and Pipe Major William
Fraser of Dornoch Pipe Band played a farewell lament.

The total collection has raised the magnificent sum of £1400, which
was split evenly between the Dornoch Health Centre heart start machine
fund and the Puffin Pool, Dingwall.

Chief mourners were Robert Munro (son), Donald Munro (son), Graham
Munro (nephew), David Burnett-Godfrey (brother-in-law), Don Wilson
(cousin), Alan Milne (cousin), Holmes Sutherland (friend) and Hans
Otto Bangemann (friend).