Fundraiser to bring home Newtonmore man killed in car crash in his adopted home in United States
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The best friend of a former Newtonmore man killed in a car crash in his adopted homeland in the United States has said he is overwhelmed by the Badenoch community's response to bring his ashes back home.
Ross MacBean, (46), died in the motor accident on January 3 near his long-time home in Knoxville in Tennessee where he worked as an electrician.
His American family wife Amanda and children Oran and Phoenix want his ashes to be scattered in the place where he grew up and loved so much.
Orsten Gardner, who was Ross' best man, told the Strathy: "I know he moved away but he was always talking about Newtonmore. He was so proud of where he was brought up and that he played for the village's shinty club.
"He loved Scotland and adored Newtonmore."
And Mr Gardner joked: "Celtic was probably the only thing he loved even more.
"Many a time I’d have to set my iPad up in front of the TV so he could watch the game and I’d get the joy of a free running commentary. I learned some new words during these games that’s for sure."
The former Newtonmore shinty first team boss has launched a JustGiving fundraiser so that Ross' family can travel to the village to spread his ashes.
So far the initial target of £1000 has been smashed with £1,760 raised in just a few days by 49 donations.
Mr Gardner was not surprised by the tremendous response: "That's the local Newtonmore community – that's what we are all about."
He said the fundraising is continuing: "I looked at going out to Ross' memorial but the flights were more than £1000 because of where they live.
"The flight to Knoxville goes via Chicago and London so they are not cheap.
"So we want to raise as much as we can to make it easier for Ross' family to come here to spread his ashes
"Amanda has told me that this is where he would want to be."
Ross was Mr Gardner's best man too when he got married in Hungary.
"I can not get my head around his death at all. We used to speak for three or four hours at a time on Facetime," said Mr Gardner.
"The world and my world are going to be very much duller place without him."
"He did well for himself in the United States – he had a good life there."
But he said Ross never forgot his roots: "He had dual citizenship which he was very proud of but Ross was a staunch, staunch Scotsman – that's for sure."
However, his life took him in a very different direction when he met Amanda when she was visiting as part of a Highlands coach party more than two decades ago.
Their long distance romance blossomed over the phone and a trip to see her in the US before taking the plunge a few years later.
Mr Gardner said: "He basically went over for a week's holiday to see Amanda and never came back."
He had been a first team regular at wing centre with the Blue and Whites at the time and was part of the line-up which lifted the MacTavish Cup in 2002 to end the Eilan club's wait of some 15 years for a trophy.
Mr Gardner said: "Ross was a talented player – although he got sent-off a few times. He had a never back down attitude."
Two memorial services were held in memory of Ross on Sunday and Monday in his home area.
A Newtonmore Camanachd spokesperson said: “We were extremely saddened to hear that local lad and former Newtonmore player Ross MacBean has tragically passed away following a motor accident.
“Ross played for the club from primary school all the way through to the Newtonmore first team.
"Ross is remembered with great affection by all who grew up with him and played alongside him.
“Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences are with Ross’ family – Amanda, Oran and Phoenix, mum Irene, sister Isla and John.”
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/orsten-gardner-2 .
