THE LATE Victor Beacom, 79, loved nothing more than having a “bit of banter” according to his son, David.

The well-known Lisbellaw man passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 8, and was laid to rest last Thursday following a funeral service at the house.

A much-loved and devoted husband, father and grandfather, Victor was well known in farming circles and was also a familiar face around the marts.

“He worked hard his whole life, but meeting people was his main thing – he loved meeting people,” said David.

“He bought and sold calves and when ‘online’ came on, he wasn’t interested in it at all. He wanted to meet the people, and be out there, face-to-face.

“He loved going to the marts. He liked wheeling and dealing.”

Farming was a large part of Victor’s life and David says his father was one of the first people in the county to have a hedge cutter, and would have been contracting while he also worked with pigs in his earlier days.

Music was also a big part of Victor’s life, and he loved singing Country music and hymns.

Married for 55 years to his wife, Peggy, they had four children: Vivian, Gwen, John and David.

Looking back, David remembers his father as someone who would not let negativity come into anything.

“He was always caring and encouraging. There was never a downside in anything. He had a positive attitude all the time,” David said.

“Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 16 years ago, he got out and about every day.”

Victor’s quick wit and sharp mind were well known, and David tells of one story about his father that he was told recently.

“He was always quick-witted, and he always had a good answer for you.

“A neighbour rang up to say a dog was chasing his sheep and said, ‘I’m just after shooting your dog’. This was at two o’clock in the morning, and my father – just woken out of his sleep – said back to him, ‘You’re a good shot – the dog is lying asleep in the house here’!”

There were plenty of messages of condolences for Victor’s family following his passing, and many people lined the roads to pay their respects to the 79-year-old.

David commented that his mother and family would like to pay tribute to all those who came out to pay their respects to his father, for the hundreds of cards, and the generosity of neighbours who delivered soup, dinners, sandwiches and cakes.

Their thanks also goes to the Very Rev. Kenneth Hall, who held the funeral service, and Marcus Madill Undertakers.

David also gave special thanks to his father’s team of carers who took care of him on a daily basis, the district nurses, and to Marie Curie nurses.

“The last eight or nine days, the Marie Curie nurses came in, and they were outstanding,” added David.

A much-loved husband of Peggy, and a devoted father of Vivian (Alan), Gwen (Kenneth), John (Adrienne) and David (Kellie), the late Victor Beacom was also a dear brother of Ivy, Violet and Olive, and a dear cousin of Joy.

He was also a very special grandfather of John, George, Emma, Karen, Ian, Claire, Sarah, Holly, Victoria, Jack, Callum and Andrew, and will be very sadly missed by all.

Funeral arrangements were by Marcus Madill Undertakers.