Family 'devastated' after grandad dies before fulfilling Scotland World Cup dream in Boston

The family of a grandad who died in Boston before he could fulfil his dream of watching Scotland play at a World Cup have said they have been left “devastated”.

Donny Strathie travelled to the United States with friends to see Scotland on the biggest stage for the first time in 28 years, after spending decades following the national side at home and abroad.

The 76-year-old celebrated Scotland’s historic 1-0 victory over Haiti, and was set to achieve a World Cup dream by attending Friday’s Group C clash against Morocco at the Boston Stadium.

“His big thing was wanting to see them in the World Cup,” family friend Lynne told STV News.

“Since Scotland qualified in November, he’s never shut up about it. He was telling everybody this was his lifelong dream.

“He thought this was his last chance. He was 76, and you never know when Scotland are going to qualify for the next one.”

‘It was all he wanted to do’

Donny died suddenly in Boston on Sunday, June 14, before he could attend Friday’s match.

He has left behind a loving family, including two grandchildren and his daughter Cheryl, who shared the news of his passing on Facebook.

They said that after his wife’s death a few years ago, seeing Scotland compete at a World Cup became Donny’s ambition.

“He was a great family man and loved his football”, Lynne said. “He was a huge Scotland and Falkirk fan. With Scotland, he’s travelled all over the world for 30 or 40 years, including France, Norway, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Malta.

Donny Strathie had followed Scotland around the world Cheryl Strathie via Supplied

“But he hadn’t seen them in America, so this was a big trip for him.

“Football and Donny were just inseparable. It was all he ever chatted about except his family. He just wanted to be there in the flesh and was so thrilled that Scotland had made it.

“To get the chance to see them on the biggest stage and cheer on the boys in blue, that’s all he wanted to do.”

The Tartan Army are now urging supporters inside the stadium to join a minute’s applause in the 76th minute of the game in his memory, with the planned applause already gathering support among fans online.

A tribute shared by the group on social media read: “We’ve learnt some bad news that Donny Strathie passed away in Boston on Sunday. He had a ticket for the Morocco game, but never got the chance to realise his World Cup dream.

“It would mean a lot to his family if we could organise a minute’s applause in the 76th minute of the Morocco game.”

Donny’s family say the gesture is a way of ensuring he remains part of the occasion he had waited so long to experience.

“It means everything,” Lynne said.

“The family’s thinking is that it’s the nearest thing to him being at the game, like it still helps him be a part of it and live out his dream for him.

“His family is obviously devastated, so upset, but comforted in the fact that he went out doing his dream.”