Sir Tom Farmer dying: Family affirm Kwik Fit founder has handed away | EUROtoday

Scottish enterprise tycoon and philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer has handed away on the age of 84, his household introduced on Friday.

The famend entrepreneur, greatest recognized for founding the Kwik Fit storage chain, died peacefully at his dwelling in Edinburgh.

Sir Tom’s influence prolonged past the automotive world. He held outstanding positions as a director of each MyTravel Group and Scottish Power, demonstrating his numerous enterprise acumen.

A lifelong soccer fanatic, he additionally held a majority stake in Hibernian Football Club for 28 years, in the end promoting his curiosity to US businessman Ron Gordon in 2019. His legacy leaves a mark on each the Scottish enterprise panorama and the sporting neighborhood.

His household mentioned in an announcement on Saturday that Sir Tom’s life and profession “touched many aspects of Scottish and UK life”, and his philanthropy can be remembered.

They added: “More than anything Sir Tom was a family man. Born in Leith, Edinburgh, in 1940 he was the youngest of seven children.

“He frequently spoke of the love, care and attention that was bestowed upon him by being the youngest in such a large family.”

The businessman had three brothers and three sisters, many nieces and nephews, and the household mentioned he was “proud to be an uncle to them and their families”.

He married Anne in 1966 after they met at their native church, and the religious Catholics had been collectively for 57 years till her dying in 2023.

Their household mentioned Sir Tom typically credited Anna for his enterprise success: “In later years when asked about the secret to his success, he would often say it was because he ‘married a girl like Anne.’

“They lived their whole married life in Edinburgh and are survived by their two children and four grandchildren.

“Sir Tom’s Roman Catholic faith was present throughout all areas of his life. He attended mass weekly in Edinburgh and enjoyed the friendship and company of many people with the Catholic community both here in Scotland and further afield.

“Sir Tom will be remembered by many for his deep commitment to his family, his work and his faith and for being at all times a proud Scotsman.”

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Hibs paid tribute in a publish on X, saying: “Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84.

“Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace.”

The household has requested for privateness.