Siege victim 'humble and kind man'

Jan 31 2013

A hostage killed in the Algerian gas field terrorist siege has been remembered at his funeral as a "humble, kind and generous man".

Between 250 and 300 mourners gathered at Kirkcaldy crematorium in Fife to pay their last respects to 59-year-old Kenneth Whiteside.

The father-of-two, a planning manager at the In Amenas desert complex, died at the hands of Islamic militants earlier this month. Originally from Glenrothes, Fife, Mr Whiteside lived in South Africa for many years with his wife and daughters.

He was remembered at the funeral service for his outgoing nature and ability to get on with people.

"Everybody simply warmed to the lovely, warm, friendly, cheery-dispositioned man that he was," independent celebrant Denis Madden told the gathering.

"Really, he was just this lovely, humble, kind and generous man. He was an absolute delight to be in company with."

Mr Madden said the well-known and well-respected man would be "sorely missed by so many people".

Alluding to the events in Algeria, Mr Madden told mourners: "Of course we are gathered here because this man, Kenny, was sadly taken from our midst just while going about his duty. He was taken by men who knew nothing of the warmth, the love, the peace and the family contentment that this man gave."

Some of Mr Whiteside's colleagues are believed to have been among mourners who joined family and friends at the service.