Obituary – Gordon Mayne

MD of Maynes Coaches of Buckie, Gordon Mayne, passed away suddenly on Wednesday (29 July 2020). He was 67.

Gordon had been the third generation of Maynes involved with the family business, with his grandad, Jimmy Mayne, starting the company in 1947. He trained as a welder in the shipyard in Buckie, but got more involved in the family business and took a firm grip of the company after the sudden passing of his father, Donnie Mayne, in 1982. Gordon built and steered the company’s growth over the decades to be the company it is today. He continued with the policy of regularly buying new vehicles to match customer demands and over the next few years expanded the fleet even further. The most unusual purchase was a vintage Duple bodied Bedford OB coach, identical to the first vehicle the company purchased in 1947. It is still with the company today.

Over the 73 year history of Maynes Coaches, it has grown from a one vehicle operation to a modern fleet of 45 coaches, this in turn has generated employment for over 60 members of staff. In 1992, with a fleet of around 20 vehicles, the privately-owned company moved to new premises on the Marchmont Industrial Estate, where it remains to this day. According to the family, given the increased dependence of the car and the general decline in bus usage, the achievement is more remarkable. It has become a name recognised across the UK coach industry.

The company has always been a family concern and was driven through the last five decades by Gordon and his late wife, Sandra (2011), and joined by sons David and Kevin who continued to deliver the family ethos of professional service and impeccable presentation and customer service.

The Mayne family enjoyed few holidays during the growth of the business, most family holidays involved Gordon driving a coach tour to UK seaside resorts Blackpool and Scarborough. The group often found that they would come home on a new coach specifically built for the family company, just collected the day before. It was a most exciting time for the boys as they grew up with a huge insight to the industry and company. Something Gordon and the boys continued to enjoy was factory trips across Europe to see and design the next fleet additions as they made their way across the factory floors.

Sons David and Kevin continue to drive the Mayne name as the fourth generation (with the fifth on its way), will be sure to continue the aspiring household name to many.

Gordon was a much-loved father to both David and Kevin; father-in-law to Judith and Helen; Granda of Meghan, Holly, Rebecca, Cerys and Ellen; Great Granda of Aria and Arlo; loving son of Anna and late-father Donnie; brother of Audrey. His family described him as a true ‘coachman’. The funeral is private due to social distancing and current health guidelines. Further information regarding the service and a slow procession to the cemetery will be posted on the company’s Facebook page. Anyone wishing to pay respects will be welcome and the route will be announced in the next few days.

A message from the Mayne family said: “Gordon loved the coach industry. Gordon was very passionate and knowledgeable about coaching and deeply involved with local coach associations NEPCOA and CPT and very proud to become members of The Guild of British Coach Operators. Gordon loved trade events and get togethers with his ‘coach family’ at wider industry events, shows and award evenings. He was also proud of the company’s awards over the last 20-plus years as Maynes continued to fly the flag for Scotland at such events, whilst continuing to keep his feet on the ground and was ‘ just a driver’ to many a passenger on day trips and tours.

“Gordon’s passion for the company came with the saying: never ask someone to do something you “canna do yerself”. This is very true, being first in, last out on many a day, seven days a week. The Mayne man was the drive and heart of the company.

“Together with Mam again………sleep well.”