Charles Blair, the founder of tools company Charles Blair (Aberdeen) Ltd and Charles Blair (Diamond Products) Ltd, died on 27 February at the age of 79. He had bravely fought against Parkinson's disease for more than 25 years.

He was born on 25 June 1939 and established Charles Blair (Aberdeen) Ltd in 1976 to make abrasive polishing wheels for the stone industry.

In 1988 he set up Charles Blair (Diamond Products) Ltd to supply and re-tip diamond tools.

Even though he retired in 2005, he continued to take a keen interest in the companies and how they were doing.

Both companies are still going strong and will continue under the direction of his son, Paul Blair, and son-in-law, Ian Taylor.

Charles left school at 14 years of age and served an apprenticeship as a stonemason at Halls the Builders in Aberdeen.

At 18 he was enlisted into the RAF and served four years as a Medic.

When he returned home he went to work at James Wright granite yard in Aberdeen, eventually becoming foreman of the yard. In 1976 he left to set up his own business manufacturing abrasive polishing wheels for the stone industry – and Aberdeen, the granite city, had more stone companies in it in those days.

He was a keen cyclist in his younger days and enjoyed camping holidays with his wife and four children when they were growing up.

He leaves a widow, Dorothy, daughters Lynne and Sandra and their husbands, son Paul, three grandchildren and one great grandson. Another son, Charles Jnr, died in 2003.

A funeral service was held at Baldarroch Crematorium in Crathes, Aberdeenshire, on Monday 11 March 2019 attended by family, close friends and business colleagues.