Requiem mass for retired Moray sheriff
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A REQUIEM mass will take place on Friday for a retired Moray sheriff, who died suddenly at the weekend.
Noel McPartlin, who was aged 79, was Scotland's longest-serving sheriff when he stepped down from the bench in 2011.
He was a friend to many and a popular and committed member of numerous clubs and groups across the Moray area.
Sheriff McPartlin is survived by his wife June, their six children and eight grandchildren.
Originally from Galashiels, Sheriff McPartlin graduated from Edinburgh University and was a solicitor in private practice for 12 years in Linlithgow, Stirling and Glasgow before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1976.
He was appointed a sheriff in 1983, and sat in Peterhead and Banff before moving to Elgin in 1985, where he remained until he returned to Edinburgh in 2001.
When Sheriff Ian Cameron retired in June 2008, Sheriff McPartlin returned to the Moray capital and remained at Elgin Sheriff Court until his own retirement three years later, although he went on to cover courts from time to time across the Sheriffdom.
Sheriff McPartlin – the son of mill workers – said on his retiral that he had always done the job to the very best of his ability.
A keen sportsman, Sheriff McPartlin played in the court's cricket team and enjoyed regular golf outings with his colleagues.
In 2012, he was the oldest participant to complete the 400-mile charity Hebridean Challenge with the Moray Wheelers and the following year he crossed the line in the Moray 10k road race.
Sheriff McPartlin was cycling near Hopeman when he took ill on Sunday morning.
The Requiem Mass, to which all are welcome, takes place at St Sylvester's Church, on Elgin's Institution Road, on Friday, June 28 at 11am.
Donations can be given at the door to the British Heart Foundation.
