Tribute has been paid to the Reverend Alexander (Alec) Strickland, a well-known and much-loved minister in Fife, Isle of Arran and Dundee, who has passed away at the age of 84. The Rev Strickland served as the minister for Dairsie, Kemback, and Strathkinness in Fife for over two decades. When he retired in 2005, he continued his ministry as a locum minister at in Dundee and supported various congregations, including in Broughty Ferry, with pulpit supply work.
His daughter, Elizabeth Frattaroli, described her father as “an old-fashioned kind of gentleman” but also fondly remembered his “fun side.” She shared: “He was very gentle and a very good listener. I think his parishioners all felt safe with him and that they could talk to him.
” Born on April 2, 1940, in Methil, Fife, Alec’s early years were marked by hardship. He was orphaned before the age of eight-years-old. His mother, a carpet weaver, had rheumatic fever and died of heart failure aged 33.
Meanwhile, his father passed away three years later aged 40 from disseminated sclerosis, potentially linked to his work as an asbestos packer. Alec went on to be raised in a one-bedroom tenement flat in , Glasgow, by his maiden aunt, Annie. Despite leaving school at 15 with no qualifications, Alec’s faith and determination led him to pursue a calling to the ministry.
While working as a bookkeeper to support the household, he attended night school, eventually earning the qualifications needed to study at Glasgow Univ.
