Alan Ritchie

ALAN Ritchie died at home in Pewsey on May 12, aged 58.

His family have thanked Wiltshire Air Ambulance for providing medical assistance after he suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Pewsey.

Mr Ritchie was born on Westray Island, part of the Orkney Islands, on October 18, 1959.

He was the middle child with an elder and younger sister.

The family moved to Oare where he started primary school then he went to Marlborough Grammar School. He trained as a welder but soon decided to start working at Andrew Giles Builders alongside his father.

He met his wife Barb through his sister in 1979 and a year later had their first daughter, Kelly. They married in 1981 and went on to have Thomas, Shona and Kirsty. They have four grandchildren, Jack, Owen, Amelia and newborn Willow with whom Mr Ritchie had loved spending time.

In 1999 he launched his own building company, Acorn Builders, with two former workers and built the company up from scratch.

The well-renowned building company was going from strength to strength until his untimely death last month. Mr Ritchie loved to be outside working and meeting people face to face, and enjoyed the hands-on aspect of any job, which meant he was a familiar face to many on a variety of projects.

He was an avid Tottenham Hotspur supporter and would take his son and grandsons to watch games most weeks.

Watching the football was an outing that he really treasured in order to share his passion about football with his close family members.

Wife Barb said: “He was just a really hard-working man. He loved dancing and would always find any willing victim to strut his stuff on the dancefloor.

“We are all devastated but have been overwhelmed by the loving letters and tributes we have received. He was such a well-respected man, and these kind words will give the family some comfort during this time.”

A primate cremation took place on May 25 and a memorial service held in St John the Baptist Church, Pewsey was attended by those in the community who knew him.

Donations can be made to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance through Diane Mackinder Funeral Service, Wagon Yard, Marlborough, SN8 1LH.