HASLEMERE residents were shocked by the untimely death last November of former town mayor James Mackie, better known as ‘Mr Haslemere’ for his long and devoted service to the community.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of one of the town’s leading lights, at St Bartholomew’s Church, last Tuesday, was packed to overflowing.

Mr Mackie died with his family and friends around him at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, on November 1, the day after he suffered serious injuries as a result of a road traffic collision in the High Street.

He was crossing the road close to the junction with Shepherds Hill when he was hit by a car travelling towards the town hall.

A father of five, grandfather of 15 and great grandfather to six, Mr Mackie had celebrated his 90th birthday with a big party a month earlier.

Mr Mackie left Charterhouse School at the age of 17 to join the Royal Marines with whom he served until 1947. In tribute, bugler Adam Peers from Portsmouth’s Royal Marine Band played The Last Post at the end of the service.

Celebrating his Scottish ancestry and his lifelong devotion to Robert Burns as organiser of numerous fundraising Haslemere Burns Night suppers, Tuesday’s congregation raised the roof with an unaccompanied rendition of the first verse of Auld Lang Syne.

Following a distinguished career, with the Malayan Civil Service during independence, he became director-general of the Grain and Feed Trade Association. He retired in 1991 to lead an even fuller life, as chairman of the local Conservative Association, serving as a borough and town councillor, before being elected Haslemere Mayor in 1993/4.

He was also as an active member of many committees, including Haslemere Museum, All Saints Grayswood PCC and National Trust Blackdown Supporters.

Leading the service, Rector Rev Mary Bowden said: “It’s a privilege to give this memorial service here in the heart of the community he served with such passion.”

Recalling favourite memories of a close friend, Ann Fitchett said Mr Mackie had a talent for turning any occasion into fun and described him as one of the world’s “givers”.

Ex-mayor Melanie Odell told the congregation, he had given valuable guidance to many councillors, herself included, and always wanted the best for the residents of his community.

Celebrating his dry sense of humour, evident to the last, she said: “I was privileged to be by his bedside in hospital after the accident, while he was still conscious. When I told him he had brought Haslemere to a standstill, he replied ‘good’.”

• Surrey Police’s investigation into the fatal crash is still ongoing.