Tributes to 'true giant' of Inverness sport and stalwart of the city’s Highland Games Ian Tasker
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Ian Tasker has died at the age of 88.
Ian Tasker, who made a name for himself as a sprints and jumps athlete, was a life member of Inverness Harriers, served as an official at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and held the triple jump record at Glen Urquhart Highland Games for 30 years.
He died in Raigmore Hospital following a long illness. He leaves wife Amy, to whom he was married for 66 years, and a son and daughter.
Mr Tasker, a former advertising manager of the Inverness Courier, also wrote the paper’s athletics reports for more than 20 years.
Those paying tribute include Courier columnist Charles Bannerman, longest serving member of the Harriers.
“As the driving force behind the club’s reconstitution in 1969 after several years in the wilderness, Ian occupies a unique place in the history of Inverness Harriers,” he said.
“His 40 years as north handicapper at a time when athletics depended critically on handicapped events were equally important, alongside his impact as a competitor and a senior official.
“Athletics in the north owes a great deal to Ian Tasker and Inverness Harriers has lost its oldest link with the past.”
Mr Tasker first joined the club in 1950, aged 18, before undertaking National Service in 45 Commando, Royal Marines.
He made a name for himself as a sprints and jumps athlete at local sports meetings and Highland Games during a competitive career which lasted until 1972, and was also an active basketball player.
He recorded career bests of 10.1 seconds for the 100 yards, 22ft 3ins (6.78m) in the long jump, 44ft 2ins (13.46m) in the triple jump and 5ft 11ins (1.80m) in the high jump, despite being 5ft 8ins tall.
He continued to represent the Harriers during the 1960s, even though it existed only in name during that period, and played an active part in its reconstitution in 1969.
As president, he oversaw its transition from training at Fraser Park to the Bught but when he retired from competition in 1972 and became the North of Scotland AAA handicapper, he resigned in order to preserve neutrality but was later made a life member.
In 2015, Mr Tasker and Colin Baillie became the first two members to be inducted into the newly-established Inverness Highland Games Hall of Fame in recognition of their service.
The ceremony took place at Inverness Town House and was attended by Games Chieftain Provost Helen Carmichael.
Inverness Central Highland councillor Bet McAllister descried Mr Tasker as “the nicest guy you could ever be a friend with”.
In another online post, Roy Sinclair said: “A truly amazing character, a superlative sportsman, a wonderful and committed competitor and friend who will be missed by all who knew Ian.”
Wendy Macintosh described him as an inspiration and stoic while James Fraser recalled him as an absolute gentleman.
Courier publisher Steve Barron said: “Ian played an important role with the Courier for many years and was well-known in the local motor industry.”
The funeral service will be on Monday at 12.30pm in Ness Bank Church, Inverness, and afterwards at Kilvean Cemetery. Donations for the Scottish Cot Death Trust may be given at the service.
