Alex Beveridge, of Northmuir, Kirriemuir, died in March, at the age of 61, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour the festive season before last.

Wife Dorothy said there had been no warning, Alex simply collapsed on Christmas Eve, and, following diagnosis, was informed that he had six to nine months to live.

"However, he fought all the way, and, during treatment at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, he was the first person to undergo a pioneering trial, which took the form of 35 sessions of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiotherapy at the same time.

"Sadly, despite a courageous fight, Alex died at home on March 25," explained Dorothy. "Throughout his illness, the nursing staff in the Kirriemuir area were fantastic, and their help and support through such a difficult time was very much appreciated."

So much so, that donations from family, friends and neighbours ahead of and at the funeral led to £570 being raised, money which Dorothy passed on to Marie Curie Cancer Care last week, in the form of a cheque.

Born at Reedie Farm on the outskirts of Kirriemuir, Alex was educated at Airlie School and Webster's High School.

He went on to carve out a career, firstly as a shepherd, then working with horses and as a tractorman. In all, he served 25 years with the local authority in Dundee, mostly in parks, and was latterly employed as a tractorman at Caird Park.

Away from work, one of his great loves was dog training, and he was involved with the Dundee Alsatian Club before setting up his own dog training club in the city.

It was back in 1991 that Mr and Mrs Beveridge came to settle in Kirriemuir.

Alex was predeceased by a son, Jamie, who passed away at an early age, but, in addition, to Dorothy, his wife for close on 43 years, Alex is survived by two daughters, Beverley and Susan, five grand-daughters and one grandson.