Popular Highland bus driver passes away from Covid-19 coronavirus
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A POPULAR bus driver has passed away from the Covid-19 coronavirus.
George White (57) died in the intensive care unit at Raigmore Hospital where he had been on a ventilator in an induced coma.
His son Paul paid a moving tribute to Mr White, a well-known Stagecoach driver and ticket inspector based in Inverness.
He said: “My dad was fun loving, always there to help anyone who needed a hand and was a great brother, partner and dad. He liked to be known as ‘Pops’ to the grandkids and to us all.
“And he always had time to listen and do all he could. He wasn’t just a parent, he was a best friend, support, mentor – the list goes on.
“He was the life of the party and an overall great guy who always left a mark on someone regardless of how they met, be that at work, socially or randomly. He always left a reminder somehow.
“I don’t need to say much more about him, as he left a legacy with so many people – and they all know how he was as a person.”
Paul told the Ross-shire Journal's sister paper – The Inverness Courier – that his dad put up “one hell of a fight” against coronavirus, and his death had not yet sunk in with him or his family.
He said: “He’ll never be truly gone, he will always be with us in spirit and in memories.”
Directly addressing his dad, he added: “Life will never be the same. I hope I can honour you as best I can, as much as it is an honour to be your son.
“You are leaving a huge gap in so many lives which will never be filled. “
When his father’s illness was first reported a month ago, Paul had called on the public to obey the rules on lockdown and social distancing.
“You may think it won’t happen to you or anyone you know but I’ll tell you this for nothing, when or if it does, it hits you so hard, not being able to talk to that person, visit or be there for them knowing they are close,” he said.
“For the people still ignoring advice, stay home, be safe, and think of others as you don’t know if or when it will affect you.”
George White lived in the Culcabock area and had worked for Stagecoach first as a driver and then, for the last six months, as a ticket inspector.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach Highlands said: “George was a popular member of our team who had worked with us for 17 years.
“The thoughts of everyone at Stagecoach are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
George was also a member of Inverness Golf Club, and would meet regularly in the nearby pub The Fluke, where he and fellow golfers were known as The Fluke’s Good Men.
Mr White’s funeral is being held at William Fraser and Son funeral home in private, due to current coronavirus restrictions, on Thursday, April 30 at 2.30pm.
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