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PICTURES: Hundreds of people line the streets of Merkinch to pay tribute to popular shopkeeper George Rodgers

By Louise Glen
- louise.glen@hnmedia.co.uk
Published: 09:00, 30 August 2021

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Hundreds of people paid their respects to a popular businessman in the Highland capital.

George Rodgers.
George Rodgers.

Following the funeral service of shopkeeper George Rodgers, people lined the streets in Merkinch to say a final farewell.

Locals came out to pay their respects. Picture: Callum Mackay
Locals came out to pay their respects. Picture: Callum Mackay

Some donned Clachnacuddin and Chelsea football shirts in tribute to the 61-year-old who died on August 9, and many clapped as the hearse passed by.

Shock at death of gentleman known by many in the Highlands

Mr Rodgers, a former Merkinch Primary School and Inverness High School pupil, was a formidable football player, and was the captain of the Clach Boys Club team that played in the Inverness Street/Youth League in the 1970s.

He went on to work on oil rigs as a baker, and also at Burnett’s Bakery, before becoming the fourth generation of his family to run the well-known Rodgers Newsagents, in Grant Street in the heart of Merkinch.

Mr Rodgers funeral procession stopped for a moment outside Rodgers Newsagents, where Mr Rodger was the fourth generation of his family to work at the Grant Street premises. Picture: Callum Mackay
Mr Rodgers funeral procession stopped for a moment outside Rodgers Newsagents, where Mr Rodger was the fourth generation of his family to work at the Grant Street premises. Picture: Callum Mackay

He is survived by his wife Vivienne, children Paula and Ivan, and grandson Remi.

Gallery1

Many mourners displayed the football colours of Clachnacuddin FC and Chelsea FC, of which Mr Rodgers was life-long fan. Picture: Callum MackayMourners lined Grant Street, Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayLocals came out to pay their respects. Picture: Callum MackayMr Rodgers funeral procession stopped for a moment outside Rodgers Newsagents, where Mr Rodger was the fourth generation of his family to work at the Grant Street premises. Picture: Callum MackayThe funeral cortège travelled by Mr Rodgers' shop and The Nip Inn. Picture: Callum MackayThe funeral procession made its way along Grant Street in Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayThe procession, as it passed Rogers Newsagents and The Nip Inn on Grant Street. Picture: Callum MackayVicki Fraser from John Fraser and Sons funeral directors led the procession through Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayVicki Fraser from John Fraser and Sons funeral directors who led the procession through Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayVicki Fraser from John Fraser and Sons funeral directors who led the procession through Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayMourners gathered on Grant Street, as Mr Rodgers' funeral cortège wound through Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayMr Rodgers' funeral was one of the first to be held under relaxed Covid measures, meaning more people were able to attend the funeral in person. Picture: Callum MackayUndertaker Vicki Fraser from John Fraser and Sons funeral directors led the cortège through Merkinch. Picture: Callum MackayMr Rodgers' friends and family gathered following the funeral on Chapel Street. Picture: Callum MackayMr Rodgers' funeral took place last Friday. Pictures: Callum MackayGeorge Rodgers.
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