SCOTLAND’S oldest man has died aged 106.
Sam Latter put his long life down to his determination to keep fit but passed away peacefully at his care home on Saturday, just ten months after inheriting the title from 109-year-old Bob Taggart.
Friends and family paid tribute to the former footballer whose funeral took place on Tuesday in front of 100 people.
His great nephew Edward Green said that he would miss the “lovely, refined” man.
Wonderful
He added: “There are mixed feelings.
“It’s a wonderful chance to celebrate a great, gentle man, but of course we are sad he has passed away.
“He was active mentally and physically right until the last few days.
“He was still interested in what was going on around him like the World Cup.
“He was always a lovely, refined person with a great sense of humour, taking great care in keeping fit and not eating excessively.
“He retained an interest in the people around him and I think that helped him live so long.”
World Cup fan
Although Mr Latter was born in Glasgow where he played for football team Third Lanark, he moved through to Edinburgh in 1931 to be with his wife Flora.
The couple lived together in Liberton until Flora died in 1990, but Mr Latter stayed in his own home until 2001 when he moved to Strachan House in Blackhall.
His friend Tony Sheldon also paid tribute to a “great favourite”.
He said: “He was always bright and alert and very fit for his age.
“He suffered a broken hip in 2000 and a broken leg two years ago, but he refused to get downhearted and his charismatic personality made him a great favourite.
“He died hours before the World Cup match between England and the USA – perhaps he knew more than we did.”
After his football career, Mr Latter sold tyres before opening a sweet shop on Lothian Road in the 1950s.
Fiona Moncur, general manager at Mr Latter’s home, said: “We’re all really sad and he will be missed. He was the elder statesman of the home, and something of a mascot.”
Mr Latter and his wife had no children.
