Massey Ferguson gift cheers Robert, aged 92
A GUERNSEY care home resident who suffers from dementia had a smile brought to his face thanks to a surprise package from an ex-employer.
Glasgow-born Robert McCurley, 92, worked in numerous jobs across varied roles over the years, but it was his work from 1960 to 1978 at Massey Ferguson, manufacturer of tractors and agricultural equipment, that remained very close to his heart.
The chance find of an old tractor magazine by his daughter, Janice Pike, inspired her brother, Gordon McCurley, to contact Massey Ferguson after Robert showed real interest in the pictures.
‘About three weeks ago I found this old tractor magazine, and I thought dad would like that,’ said Ms Pike.
‘He was really interested in it, so I asked my brother Gordon, “where can we get more tractor magazines from?”
‘He wrote to Massey Ferguson explaining the situation, and within a week they had sent this package out for Robert.’
The package included a letter addressed to Robert, all the up-to-date tractor brochures, a large book of photographs on the company’s trips to Antarctica, and a baseball cap.
‘He was very surprised when the package arrived. His communication has gone right down, but he was smiling away,’ said Mrs Pike.
‘He can’t turn the book’s pages now, but we look at the pictures and he points at all the things he likes. He loves to look at the tractors as it reminds him of happier times.’
Ms Pike added that she was surprised by the gesture from the company.
‘They must have loved him there, I know they got up to all sorts,’ she said.
‘There must have been thousands of men working there.
‘For them to do this for a 92-year-old man, in a dementia home in Guernsey is an amazing gesture.’
Mr McCurley has two children, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren across Guernsey and the UK.
Although some of his family can visit, not all of them can.
Ms Pike would like anyone who knows Robert to call in and see him at Highfield House Care Home.
‘Three years after mum passed in 2002 he met his lady friend, Jackie Le Marchant, she comes in to visit as often as she can,’ she said.
‘He is well loved across the island, sometimes we couldn’t walk down the High Street for people stopping to talk to him.
‘We would love anyone who knows him to come and visit.’
