"Dufftown loon" laid to rest in his home town

BIG TURN-OUT FOR DR GEORGE
GORMLEY FUNERAL SERVICE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON (Colin@scottishgolfview.com)
There was a big turn-out this afternoon for the funeral and burial of Dr George Gormley at Mortlach Parish Church, Dufftown – reputed to be one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Scotland, having been founded in 566.
Dr George was a “Dufftown loon” born and bred. Born in June 1936, he was educated in Duffown, leaving only to study medicine at Aberdeen University. After his graduation, he went to Lossiemouth, ostensibly only for six months to gain general practice experience. It had been his original intention to return to Aberdeen to gain qualifications as an eye surgeon – but he liked Lossiemouth and its people so much that he stayed there the rest of his life.
As a young man he had played football for Dufftown and Rothes in the Highland League – as an amateur.
But the move to Lossiemouth brought the game of golf into George’s life in a big way. He became a member of Moray Golf Club in the 1960s and later captain of the club and then president of the North District of the Scottish Golf Union before achieving the prime position in Scottish amateur golf of President of the Scottish Golf Union.
He was very interested in the Scout movement … became a Justice of the Peace and was also an independent councillor for a Lossiemouth ward on the Moray Council.
Described as more than a doctor – more like a minster – George was an honourable gentleman, well liked in every walk of life.
All the interests of Dr Gormley’s life over its 70-year span were represented in the congregation at his funeral service which was conducted by Rev J S Skinner.
Gordon McInnes, the current President of the Scottish Golf Union, drove up with his wife from Glasgow to attend the service. The vice-president, David Moir, an R&A staff official, made the journey up to Dufftown from Fife.
Past president Graeme Ewart, a good friend of Dr Gormley, drove up from Edinburgh. The North-east District were represented by secretary George McIntosh and Gordon Murray, a member of the SGU executive committee from Aberdeen.
The North District of the SGU and Moray Golf Club were also very well represented.
The congregation were invited to have tea with the Gormley family at Moray Golf Club after the burial in the Mortlach Church cemetery