Tributes paid to 'larger than life' ref
Published 22 Feb 2012 08:00
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ONE of Lochgelly's best known characters has died suddenly and this week tributes were paid to Bobby Greenlees.
Bobby was someone who became very well known as a football referee and then later he continued his sporting life in swimming as a coach and gala official.
The eighty-year-old, from McGregor Avenue, was also a long time member of Cowdenbeath Rotary Club where he did a lot of charity work.
He was someone who took a very early interest in sport when he followed the Dunfermline Vikings ice hockey team as a kid and later as he became involved in scouting, football captured his imagination.
He began refereeing scout games and his ability with the whistle soon became known in refereeing circle and he was asked to take on junior fixtures.
In a matter of a year or so he found himself in Scottish League action and was soon a top grade whistle handling major First Division fixtures.
He handled a number of major league and cup games and also looked after UEFA officials who came to Dunfermline when the Pars were successful in the European Cup Winners Cup and Fairs Cup.
He retired from refereeing in 1977 and it was then, through his daughter Ailsa, that he became involved in swimming.
He offered to help out officiating at Cardenden Swimming Club galas and one thing led to another. Bobby was soon timekeeping and refereeing at major East of Scotland SWA galas and in 1986 officated at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
From then until his death he was a major official in Scottish swimming meets at all levels.
His coaching prowess saw a number of talented swimmers gain experience in the sport through assistance from Bobby and such was his standing in scottish swimming he received a number of gifts when he celebrated his 80th birthday in September from district associations and also the major Edinburgh club, Warrender.
A travelling salesman for much of his working life, Bobby joined Cowdenbeath Rotary Club in 1993 and went on to become a hard working member of the local club.
Any charity event he would be there helping out and he was particularly keen to help out with the organisation of the many sponsored swims held by the local rotarians at Lochgelly High School.
Club president Dennis Brooks said of Bobby Greenlees, "He was someone who you just had to ask for his assistance and he was there to help as much as he could.
"The sponsored swim events could not have been organised without his in-depth knowledge but it did not matter what was being run, he would be their to give all the assistance he could."
Past presdient, Tom Russell added, "Bobby was an almost larger than life character who would help with any project to assist people at home or abroad." Bobby's funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday) at Kirkcaldy Crematorium.
Our picture shows him on duty at one of the rotary club's sponsored swim events.
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