Watch: Falkirk folk turn out to say a final farewell to cobbler Alex

Alex Lawson (58), who sadly died in his sleep on Monday, April 26, had been running his Master Cobbler business in Falkirk’s Newmarket Street for a number of years, but had been expertly plying his trade in the town since the 1980s, with shops in High Street and the famous In-shops in the Howgate Shopping Centre.

Chances are if you lived or worked in the Falkirk area over the last 40 years and you needed shoes repaired or a key cut, then you will have had the pleasure of meeting Alex.

Thomas Cuthell and Sons carried out Alex’s funeral today and, while COVID-19 restrictions meant the funeral service was private, people were able to pay their final respects to Alex as the funeral procession passed by his shop this afternoon.

A keen fisherman, Alex had been on a fishing trip with his son Alexander on the Sunday before his death and was in good health.

Alexander (36) said: “We went out fishing in Fort William on Sunday and he just didn’t wake up on Monday. He had been fine on the Sunday – it’s just one of these things.”

He said at the time he and mum Sharon were still in shock over the Alex’s sudden death and coming to terms with his loss.

Falkirk BID manager Elaine Grant said the business community was shocked by Alex’s death, stating it was a “sad loss of someone taken before their time”.