A713 Patna crash: Tributes to victim Gary Patterson pour in

One of the victims was named this week as Gary Patterson, 65, a much loved brass musician, teacher and conductor who touched the lives of many in Cumnock and beyond.

His wife Miriam and daughter Catherine were among the injured.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many reeling from the sudden and tragic loss of well-respected Gary who has been described as “a committed and dedicated professional who went above and beyond for pupils” during a career as a music instructor “that spanned decades”.

READ MORE: Two men dead and several hospitalised after fatal crash on A713 near Patna

Gary Patterson, who died aged 65.

Out of those paying their respects was former Greenmill PS and Cumnock Academy pupil, Wendy Williams (née Goodyear) who spoke about Gary’s lasting influence on her life.

She told the Chronicle: “I first came across Gary in a pupil/teacher context in P5 when he visited the classroom to ask if anyone would like to try out to play a brass instrument. That’s where it all started. He then taught me for nine years, for the rest of my school career.

“He was a brilliant teacher but as a person, he was a true gentleman. He inspired so many people in Cumnock and beyond in both brass and string playing. Latterly he was a brass teacher but when I was at school, he was a string teacher as well. To be good in both disciplines is something quite rare.

“He was immensely funny. He had a great sense of humour and a love of life which definitely lightened many an occasion.

“He was also extremely well organised and took great pride in maintaining high standards of musical performance and deportment. He always wanted the band and pupils to look smart. Everything always had to be very tidy and organised.”

Cumnock Academy Brass Band 2000/2001

Wendy said: “His family were the most important thing in his life. He is going to be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, but particularly by his family.

“I know his family because he offered us the opportunity to go on foreign travel trips. He was instrumental in Cumnock Academy’s biannual music tours. We went to wonderful destinations such as Austria, Switzerland and Spain, to name but a few.

“In music, you get to know everyone’s family. I think that’s why it hits home when something like this happens because you’re not just thinking about Gary and all the things he did and the impression he left on the lives of his pupils, you’re also thinking about the family you were introduced to, his actual family.”

Gary (left) with colleague Harry in France.

Gary also played a big part in Wendy’s personal life. She met her husband of nearly 10 years, also named Gary, through a brass band.

When they got married in 2012, her friend and former teacher was there, instrument in hand, to wish her well.

She said: “If Gary Patterson hadn’t walked into that p5 classroom all those years ago, I wouldn’t be married to my husband now. Without that start, life wouldn’t be the life that I have now.”

The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) were also shaken by the news of Gary’s untimely death.

A spokesperson said: “The thoughts of everyone whose lives were touched by Gary over the years are with his family. Gary’s wife Miriam and daughter Catherine were injured in the accident.

“Many of Gary’s music pupils have fond memories of their time learning from him, describing him as “patient, kind and encouraging” at all times. It’s a testament to his talent that so many young people are still playing today as adults.

“Northern Ireland-born Gary had a particularly close association with several bands in Ayrshire. He played front row cornet with Dalmellington Band at the same time as his brother Noel was on solo horn.

“Their father was president of the band in the late 1970s.”

Gary attended former pupil Wendy’s wedding. Gary is 3rd from the front in the row just to Wendy's left.

They continued: “Miriam was a flugel horn player with Dunaskin Doon Band when she met Gary and he later had the distinction of conducting the band to a winning contest performance in the 2nd section at the Carnegie Contest in Fife in April 1990.

“The band’s honorary president, Angus Cochrane, expressed his sadness and described Gary as being a “gentleman at all times” adding: “SBBA and everyone in the Scottish banding community send their condolences to the whole family at this sad time.”