A stalwart of East Kilbride's South Parish Church has passed away at the age of 95.
Frank McIntosh was involved with the church for 60 years, holding the post of church officer for over 40 years from 1972 until he retired in 2013 - he was also an elder and BB Officer.
Born in 1926, Frank was the youngest of three children, having two older sisters, Alice and Flora.
He had a very difficult start in life, losing his mum at a very young child with his father dying soon after.
Frank started his working life in the steel works in Cambuslang but was called up to join the Gordon Highlanders, training in Aberdeen.
Following WW2, he returned to Scotland and went back to the steel works, staying with British Steel until his retirement.
In the 1950s he met and married Myra and had two children, Kenneth and Fiona.
The family lived in The Murray, one of the first districts built in East Kilbride new town.
Myra sadly passed away in the early 1970s and Frank remained in his Murray family home until he married Cathie in 1984.
Both Kenneth and Fiona married and left home before this and Kenneth went on to have two daughters, Lorna and Emma, now both grown-up.
The South Parish church was a huge part of Frank's life and is where he met Cathie and they got married, setting up home together in Mull in St Leonards.
They loved to travel and eventually fell in love with Cyprus holidaying for many years in the same hotel in Larnaca.
Frank became part of Cathie’s family, and was a much loved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Cathie sadly developed Alzheimer’s and passed away in July last year.
Barrie Crawford, from the South Parish, told Lanarkshire Live : "For over 40 years Frank faithfully carried out his duties as church officer with a cheery good humour, mixed with the occasional grumble.
"He set up for services, fairs, jumble sales, displays and for outside agencies. He cleaned and tidied inside the church and kept the grounds neat and tidy.
"Although Frank retired in 2013, he carried the Bible into church in 2018 in the service marking its 60th anniversary.
"Frank was a one-man sweetie shop, keeping worshippers and children supplied with pan drops, sweeties and even the occasional tea or coffee and biscuits from his supplies in his cupboard.
"Almost everyone associates Frank with his pan drops which he doled out Sunday by Sunday and he also had a great sense of fun.
"One member recalled that if you weren’t quick enough to take the pan drops he stuck in your hand, he would put another handful in your pocket.
"Over the years Frank almost made the Hall of Friendship in the church his own, welcoming all cheerfully and the ladies in particular with a big hug, at the time when hugging was allowed. He was well-liked and respected by members and visitors alike.
Barrie added: "Frank was a part of the fabric of so many people’s lives and his work at church saw him support so many on the most important days of their lives – baptisms, weddings and of course, funerals.
"He had a life well-loved and well-lived and that will be fondly remembered."
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