Hundreds attend funeral of former policeman Ian Hosie

Jan 21 2010 by Lynda Nicol, Hamilton Advertiser

MORE than 400 mourners last week attended the funeral of Ian Hosie, one of Hamilton’s best-known and respected former police officers.

Rangers legends Sandy Jardine and Andy Goram paid their respects alongside the ex-detective chief superintendent’s former work colleagues, fellow bowlers and Masons and even drinking buddies from local pubs.

They chapel at South Lanarkshire Crematorium was on Thursday packed to overflowing for the funeral service conducted by the Rev Alan Paterson, minister of Righead United Reformed Church, East Kilbride.

Ian died on Saturday, January 9, in St Andrew’s Hospice at the age of 68 after battling colonic cancer.

His family have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of tributes paid to him.

Ian was born in Glasgow in 1942 and soon moved with his parents, Charlotte and William, to East Kilbride. It was there that he and his younger siblings, Alex, Isobel, Billy and Irene, were raised.

Ian attended East Kilbride Primary and St John’s Grammar School, Hamilton, where he was second year dux, before going on to finish his schooling at Hamilton Academy.

His first job was at a sub-post office in East Kilbride before he joined the City of Glasgow Police in 1962.

In 1959 he met East Kilbride woman Margaret, who became his wife in 1965.

Ian’s job required they live in Glasgow and they moved to the West End, before making their home in Hamilton 33 years ago.

Their first son Craig, was born in 1969 followed in 1973 by another son, Darren.

Despite his long working hours, especially during his time in CID, Ian was devoted to his family and immensely proud of them and of his grandchildren, Fraser, Calum, Jamie and Lauren, who brought him great joy and happiness.

As in everything, Ian gave his all to any job he took on. He was best student on his initial training course at Tulliallan Police College.

After his probation in Maryhill, he joined the CID at the first opportunity, a department he loved and in which he remained for almost all his service.

After gaining a law degree at Strathclyde University, he was promoted to inspector, eventually becoming head of the Fraud Squad. He was then promoted to detective chief superintendent, becoming joint head of the Strathclyde Force’s CID with responsibility for divisions south of the River Clyde.

He was very hands-on and it was not uncommon for him to drop in at a CID office on his way home to chat with staff.

In 1989, Ian took over as head of the Scottish Criminal Records Office, where he oversaw the modernisation of the department. He remained there until his retiral from the force in 1992.

After retiring, he completed his law studies with a view to practising but the lure of a job with his beloved Rangers in July 1993 proved impossible to turn down.

In his several years with the club, he completely transformed the ticketing system at Ibrox, making it one of the most advanced systems in British football.

After leaving, Rangers he worked as systems manager with Thomson Litho in East Kilbride for two years before settling down to retirement.

In his younger days, Ian was very active in his Masonic Lodge in Glasgow. He was also a member of East Kilbride Rolls Royce Bowling Club and a regular in The Victoria Bar and The Courtyard in Hamilton.

He enjoyed organising and participating in rugby trips to Paris and hillwalking trips in Scotland. Margaret and Ian also spent many weeks every year in Salou, where friends will also miss him.

He was also involved in the Lanarkshire branch of the Retired Police Officers Association, serving as its chairman.

At the close of the funeral service, a retiring collection raised the magnificent sum of £1700, again testament to the respect felt for Ian.

The money will be divided between Cancer Research Scotland and the St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie. Ian’s family thank all who made a donation.