'Charlie's spirit will live on' say friends

Published 2 Dec 2009 16:21 8 Comments

Share this

By Rosalyn Campbell

TRIBUTES flooded in for the kind-hearted founder of the popular Lamont City Farm in Erskine, who passed away last week.

Charlie Doran, 84, who established Lamont City Farm with his late wife Jean over 30 years ago, was a 'legend' and a family man who loved children and animals.

He passed away after bravely fighting cancer.

Over the years, the farm - which relies on donations and grants - has provided a home for a wide variety of rescued animals and has given local children and adults the opportunity to meet sheep, goats, horses, ponies, pigs and chickens.

A weekly kids' club encourages children to get more involved with the running of the farm, helping with the care of the animals as well as tree planting and wildflower gardening.

Manager at Lamont City Farm, Alice Beaton, said: "Charlie was so good with all the kids - they all loved him. The kettle was always on, and he always had a smile for everyone. He was so friendly and cheery and talked to everyone.

"He loved his family, he was a real family man. He had two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren.

"At the funeral there was a lovely turn-out for him. Ex-volunteers, ex-employees and ex-treasurers all showed up to pay their respects - the farm's been going for 32 years."

Erskine resident Barbara Campbell said: "Everybody will be shocked and saddened to hear of Charlie's death.

"He'll be so missed. You always caught him the same way - he was always cheery and kind."

At the funeral on Monday, local councillor Sam Mullen said: "Today will be an emotional day. I feel for his family and everyone connected with him.

"Charlie Doran made Lamont City Farm what it is. He made it possible for lots of children to learn about animals and he never turned away any animal that was sick or injured. I took a few to him myself.

"I think Charlie will be one of the legends of Erskine.

"People have so many good memories of him, especially his care for animals and young children, which was tremendous.

"Charlie's left a real legacy in Erskine - his heart was in the right place and he cared about his community.

"He was a good man and his spirit will live on among us."

This article appeared in The Gazette 02 Dec 09

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Lynn
Unregistered User
Dec 7, 14:33
Report comment

Charlie was a lovely man and will be sadly missed by the whole community. Love & light Charlie xxxx

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
Robbie Alexander
Unregistered User
Dec 8, 09:42
Report comment

as a tribute to charlie, people could give money to Lamont City Farm to help the animals this christmas. I remember reading in the express that they need money, with the recession going on, times are tough for all charities but it wuold be good for us to help keep this farm alive to honour Charlie.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
Barbara
Unregistered User
Dec 8, 09:43
Report comment

i'm so sad that he has died, i didnt realise he was sick, he was such a kind man whenever you went to the farm and the world is a poorer place without him.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
Lenny W
Unregistered User
Dec 8, 09:46
Report comment

You dont get many people like Charlie, he always thought of others and was so good to others, we could all do with being a bit more like him.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Andy
Unregistered User
Dec 8, 09:47
Report comment

rest in peace charlie the people of erskine will always remember you, you were one of a kind.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Jenny White
Unregistered User
Dec 8, 10:29
Report comment

Charlie was loved by the whole neighborhood, its not the same without him, he was always so welcoming to all the visitors and the kids and he really helped kids learn more about how to look after animals. everyone will miss him.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
******
Dec 16, 22:02
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
******
Dec 16, 22:06
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
******
Dec 21, 14:29
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
Stephanie Parr
Unregistered User
Dec 25, 22:00
Report comment

i always love to go to the farm and see charlie everyday and he always made me the best lunches ever. I will miss him and his heart will always stay in lamont farm, he will be rememberd. my lunches are not as good as charlies.He always done the hardest part of the jobs and he was a great laugh. Him and alice were good friends. he was so brave to get out and still help at the farm even though he was sick. that just goes to show how brave and kind he was. animals will miss him......Thanks Charlie =-[

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
******
Dec 27, 01:56
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
alex mitchell
Unregistered User
Feb 19, 00:01
Report comment

hi charlie will be sadly missed i got a dog for my boy from charlie she was in a litter of 8 the only one that was not running around in the enclosure so we to her did not what sex it was it had to be called shep and we still have her after 13 years....thanks charlie

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0

Follow @thegazettepaper

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.