HIS name is synonymous with dentistry in the county.

But beyond that, John Short was a man with a passion for life, adventure and, most of all, people.

He passed away at The Orchard Care Home in Tullibody on Tuesday, February 7, at the age of 89.

John married Margaret Binnie in 1959 and they had three children – Stephen, Moira and Gillian – and four grandchildren.

Born of very humble beginnings in Alloa, he would go on to open up his own dental practice in the town.

He borrowed £100 from a favourite auntie to purchase the premises at Shillinghill, now run by his son.

Ably supported by a loyal band of staff, he was committed to providing a service to the community and was grateful to do so.

Stephen said: "Those were the days when Paton's Mill was going flat out and there was only one other dentist, one other practitioner in the town at the time, and he got very busy very quickly – he used to work crazy hours."

And his interest never waned – he would regularly pop into the practice for a visit and chat long after his retirement in 1988.

Stephen added: "He'd pick up conversations from where he left off, 10-15 years ago with the last patient."

Somewhat poignantly, his very last trip out was to be to the dental surgery for a check-up with his son.

He was known as a "gregarious" man who loved a social occasion; he had a wealth of stories and jokes that he was only too happy to recount.

Family was incredibly important to him, as was his religion.

And along with his outgoing personality, he was "infamous" for being late – going back as far as his student days.

Moira said: "Twice he was late for dental exams, because he travelled to Glasgow by train.

"One time, he was standing and he couldn't figure out why the train hadn't arrived and it was the changeover to the summer timetable – it was at Easter time – it was the first time of the new timetable so it had all altered.

"So he got to the exam 45 minutes late, or something, and he passed no problem.

"But the next time he was travelling into Glasgow and he realised, he remembered it was a holiday of obligation within the church so it was an extra day for going to mass.

"So, en route to his exam he went to church in Glasgow. Not one that he was used to going because he always went to the one in Alloa, but he went into church in Glasgow and then on to his dental exam for which he was over an hour late and he still passed it."

Along with his involvement in many community groups, such as the Alloa Round Table, Alloa Rotary and Alloa Burns Club, he had many interests.

His adrenaline filled hobbies were many – he didn't stop skiing until he was 79 and was at the helm of a boat until 85.

He was also a keen golfer, at Shaw Park when he stayed in Alloa and then Muckhart Golf Club when the family relocated to Dollar.

Alongside this, he was a member of Dollar and Devonvale Curling Club and was a bit of a football fan.

But he was also known for his love of cars and liked to drive in the fast lane.

As such, his father-in-law – of John Binnie & Sons Motors – even declined trade-ins when he changed his car.

He also co-founded the Catenian Association Stirling Circle (191) – allowing people to develop friendships and share social experiences.

He was also a man of values, Gillian said: "He always did the right thing by people, always. Even if it put him out of pocket, or out of time or whatever, he would do what he thought was right."

Diagnosed with dementia after his wife passed away in 2013, the support from neighbours, extended family, friends and Alzheimers Scotland was plentiful.

And the family are thankful for the excellent care offered to him at the Orchard, since 2015.

John's funeral mass will be held at St Mungo's RC Church in Alloa on Wednesday, February 22 at 10am and thereafter to Sunnyside Cemetery, to which family and friends are respectfully invited.