Mourners remember Joe Beltrami at requiem mass

Something of Mr Beltrami’s character was revealed at the requiem mass held for him following his death last week at the age of 82.

His eldest son Edwin told mourners how a member of security staff at Boston airport failed to appreciate Mr Beltrami’s sense of humour.

He had flown to Boston to visit another of his sons, Adrian, who was graduating from Harvard University.

As he intended to only stay for a single night he only had a small suitcase with him.

Edwin told the 300 assembled mourners at Sain Aloysius’ RC Church in Garnethill, Glasgow: “This aroused the suspicions of the security staff.

“Here was a man in front of them with an Italian name who had travelled on a seven hour flight only to go back the next day.

“They began to question him and asked him, ‘Sir, is your trip for business or pleasure?’ Joe considered the question and replied, ‘Well, I’m not here on business, and it is never a pleasure to come to America’.”

Among the attendees was former Celtic captain Billy McNeill. Mr Beltrami, a staunch Celtic supporter, travelled around the world with club during the glory years of the 1960s.

Edwin also spoke of his father’s appreciation of sport, music and travel. Along with former flyweight world champion Walter McGown, Mr Beltrami travelled to New Orleans to see Muhammad Ali defeat Leon Spinks in their 1978 rematch.

In addition, Mr Beltrami was a “very good classical pianist” and Edwin described being able to see Elvis Presley in concert in Las Vegas as his father’s “crowning glory”.

A second eulogy was delivered by Donald Findlay QC, who was a close friend and colleague of Mr Beltrami’s for many years.

Mr Findlay said Mr Beltrami had been his mentor.

He added: “Joe has been a towering presence in my life, in the lives of many others, and in Scots law.

“He was truly one of the outstanding Scots of recent times.”

He added that Mr Beltrami was “a constant source of encouragement, support, advice and, indeed, inspiration” to him and that he owed him a “huge debt of gratitude”.

Mr Findlay added many mourners were at the mass “simply because their lives were enriched, privately and professionally, by Joe Beltrami”.

The mass was also reminded of the familiar cry: “get me Beltrami” made by countless people who found themselves in trouble.

Mourners made their way to Dalnottar Crematorium in Clydebank after the ceremony.