Family remembers beloved North Kessock photographer
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A WEDDING photographer and family man who captured the happy moments of hundreds of couples during his second successful career has sadly passed away.
Sandy Fea, from North Kessock, has died aged 72, after a 27-year battle – bravely fought – with cancer.
Mr Fea's family funeral was held last week in Inverness.
Mr Fea's daughter Carolyn said his love of photography was born in his childhood where he grew up on an Indian tea plantation
She said: "My dad was born in 1948, in Assam, India. He spent his early years having adventures on his parents tea plantation. This is also where his love of photography was born – from this young age
"He took photographs of Mount Everest and the Himalayas, from the foothills of the tea estate. He treasured all the photos from India and they provided the backdrop to his amazing stories."
From the age of five, Mr Fea attended boarding schools in Scotland, latterly Strathallan, which Carolyn said shaped his professional drive and determination greatly.
Mr Fea then studied geography at Dundee University and in the late 1960’s started his working life with an apprenticeship with Ford Motor Company in Essex.
"He remained with Ford and in 1982 after a period additionally running a licensed premises in West Linton moved the now complete family to Inverness to take up a role within Cordiners Ford dealership before moving onto the Mercedes Benz franchise.
"He and his team secured new premises for this dealership and the franchise remains in the same location to this day."
Mr Fea was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma in 1993. During his own treatment for cancer, he joined the board of Highland Hospice, a charity dear to his heart.
Carolyn continued: "He worked tirelessly, without complaint, as a provider for his family and within the community despite his treatment. He remained private and dignified throughout.
"He had a motto throughout his treatment and beyond, that, 'laughter is life's medicine' and he did laugh lots, with family and friends and nurses and doctors.
In 1997 Sandy underwent a gruelling stem cell transplant which prompted the family to move to North Kessock and pursue his lifelong hobby, photography - as a career.
She said: "His family and friends will be forever grateful for the camera bag always by his side, in his spare time to capture life, laughter and spectacular images.
"He never missed an opportunity and those photographs are now like precious jewels which will be treasured."
Carolyn continued: "The family has been greatly touched by the outpouring of love and remembrance from the hundreds of wedding and commercial clients; with heartfelt sympathy at the loss of an exceptional photographer and a true gentleman.
"This is testament to my dad's values, effort and sincerity.
"My dad had a strong Christian faith that helped him in his life, and guided his ethics and choices."
She said: "My dad fought cancer bravely, with dignity. My mum, Anne, took exceptional care of dad throughout his health adversities and she is also credited for the additional years his treatment has gifted them together.
Mr Fea is survived by his wife Anne, and their three children, Richard, Carolyn and Gillian, and his grandchildren.
