In Memory of Tom Pearson

Tom Pearson
1 Feb 1938 – 16 Aug 2024
“In memory of Tom a valued colleague and good friend” 
By Jim Lee, Chairman of Newburgh Ancestry & History Society

Tom was born to Alexander and Janet Pearson at Newbigging of Blebo on the l February 1938. His brother Sandy was born 2 years later. He attended Kemback Primary School. After the family moved to Ormiston Farm, then Parkhill Farm at Newburgh he attended Abdie Primary and Newburgh School.

He started working as an apprentice gardener at Taybank, Newburgh and, apart from 2 years National Service, stayed there until 1978. He then worked for Fife Regional Council at Cairngreen and ended his working life at Dalgairn Centre in Cupar teaching disabled adults about gardening. When Tom retired in 2003 his pupils or his “laddies” as he called them still came with staff to visit him. 

Tom met his wife Elizabeth when her parents came to live at Old Parkhill, and they married in 1968 and had 2 sons David and Tommy. They lived at Old Parkhill until 2004 when they moved to Melville Place.

Over the years Tom was involved with flower shows as a competitor but also as a well-respected judge across Fife. His love of photography meant he never left home without his camera, taking pictures of the local area. He loved local history, and his collection of old photographs and postcards was second to none. 

As a member of the Newburgh History Society, Tom became a founder member of the Friends of the Laing Society which later became Newburgh Ancestry & History Society, based at the Lower Laing Museum.

Tom’s local knowledge and his memories of people and events were an amazing asset to volunteers and visitors alike in the Museum. Latterly he would be there every day we were open, and his input was invaluable. He became a committee member and was delighted when Newburgh Ancestry & History Society achieved charitable status and became a member of the Board.

One of our members summed up our feelings with these words:

“We will sorely miss the many hours that we sat and talked about Newburgh and its folk. We will cherish the laughs we had together and the down to earth way he described people and events of the past and present. Tom’s knowledge was immense”

We will remember Tom’s kindness and humour, a proper gentleman, respected by all for his understanding, wisdom and knowledge. He was someone who inspired my own love of local history, as he did with others.

We will all personally miss Tom as a friend and colleague and the Museum will miss him.