Alastair’s daughter Joanne has sent the following: Alastair M. Carstairs (FN 57-62). “My father was born in 1943 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and lived there until he was seven years old when his parents finally returned to the UK to live in Hexham, Northumberland. He said that he spoke fluent Portuguese so it must have been strange when he was sent away to boarding school, first at Ridley Hall followed by St Bees School. We have listened to many stories over the years of his time at St Bees so this must have been a very important period in his life and shaped the man he became.
He studied Civil Engineering at Newcastle University and after graduating became a civil engineer, working around Europe and the US in the early days of his career. He eventually met my mother, Ann, while he was working in Newcastle and they were married in 1970. Then in 1974, he decided to take a job in Hong Kong working for the government, so my mother agreed as it was only a two year contract. However, they loved it so much they stayed there for 22 years and finally returned to the UK in 1996.
My father particularly enjoyed playing lawn bowls in Hong Kong and was a member of the Kowloon Bowling Green Club. He was a very active member of the club, serving on various committees over the years and acting as President before he left to return to the UK. I think he especially enjoyed it because after the game, the players would all retreat to the bar to have a few beers either to celebrate their win or commiserate!
On his return to the UK in 1996, he settled in Whickham, Gateshead and enjoyed his retirement there. However, his health started to deteriorate in 2019 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My mother was able to care for him herself at home but eventually became unable to do so after dealing with her own health issues. They finally moved into a care home together in 2023, but my mother sadly passed away a few months later. His health deteriorated further and he was bedridden for the last year of his life. He passed away peacefully the evening after I had visited him - a life well lived.”

 

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