A FORMER president of Dunfermline Curling Club who received national recognition for half a century of involvement in the sport has died.

Albert Rae, who also served as president of the West Fife Province for two years from 2001-2003, passed away on October 20 at the age of 79.

Described as one of the Dunfermline club's greatest characters, Albert was born on July 25, 1941, in Perth and had five siblings; Agnes, Ella, Robert (Bob), Hamlin (Hammy) and Sam.

After attending Perth High School, he graduated in electrical engineering from Dundee College of Art and Technology in 1963 before moving into a successful career with SSEB (The South of Scotland Electricity Board), then Scottish Power.

Albert worked out of Glenrothes, Hamilton and Cathcart prior to his retirement in 1997 and, in addition to his day job, joined the Territorial Army as an officer cadet in 1971 before becoming an Honorary Colonel in 1993.

His association with the curling club began in 1966 and those connected with Dunfermline will remember him most for his enthusiastic unique sweeping style, as well as playing in every position in a rink.

Of the many successes, trophies and championships Albert won over the years, highlights included every Dunfermline Curling Club trophy and all of the major competitions held at Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, as well as others at places such as Lockerbie, Stranraer and Forfar.

At national level, he twice reached the last eight of the Scottish Championships, claimed the British Open Curling Championship in 2000, was twice a National Masters champion, and was selected to be part of a Scottish tour to Canada in 2003.

Off the ice, Albert was a fervent supporter of Scotland teams at World and European championships, travelling to the likes of Canada, the United States and Switzerland, as well as even New Zealand for the World Seniors Championships.

To mark his life in curling and membership of the sport's governing body, formerly known as the RCCC (The Royal Caledonian Curling Club) but now branded as Scottish Curling, he received his 50-year medal recently.

Dunfermline Curling Club added: "Through curling, Albert made many great friends from all over the world, he gave a lot back to the sport and he was a fantastic ambassador for the club, locally, nationally and internationally.

"He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."