TRIBUTES have poured into The Herald in loving memory of James Mackie, who was actively involved in nearly all the leading organisations in the town and well known to so many residents.

Leading the tributes to a fellow town mayor, Sahran Abeysundara said: “James was town mayor from 1993 to 1994 and when I became mayor this year, his words of wisdom were absolutely invaluable. He was always so full of beans.

“When I heard about his death I lowered the town hall flag to half mast.

“He served our community and our town with such great enthusiasm and the town and myself are really going to miss him.”

Mr Mackie (pictured above), a much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather, celebrated his 90th birthday on October 1, with a big party attended by more than 70 relatives and close friends – held at The Georgian Hotel on September 29.

Close friend Ann Fitchett said: “Although a proud Scot, James was regarded by many as ‘Mr Haslemere’ because he was so thoroughly involved in the affairs of the town and an active supporter of so many organisations.

“Rarely did an event happen without him, whether it was a concert, lecture, fireworks, a show or a political meeting. He cared passionately about the town and worked doggedly to ensure that past events and decisions were not forgotten.

“Just as important to him were future developments so he joined Haslemere Vision and was an advocate of the new station car park development.

“He was never one to take a back seat but would always make his contribution, well thought out and relevant, full of wise counsel.

“He will be sadly missed by his many friends but most of all by his large and dearly loved family, of whom he was so proud.

“It was with great joy they celebrated his 90th birthday a month ago.”

Mr Mackie, who had lived locally for more than 40 years, leaves four sons and a daughter, 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His wife Daphne died in 2004.

His son Simon, who lives in Haslemere, told The Herald “At heart, he was a true Scot. People might find him a bit formal but he had a heart of gold.

“He was always very correct but he was a genuinely loveable guy. He was a much-loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

“Right up to end, he had the most incredible mind and incredible wisdom. He was always there to give advice and he was the person you always went to for advice. If one of us had a problem, he was always there for us with wise words. He was hyperactive and had a huge amount of energy.

“He made himself so busy in retirement, he filled it up completely. He was so happy at his 90th birthday.”

Mr Mackie was born in St Andrew’s in Fife, the son of distinguished historian Professor John Duncan Mackie.

He was brought up in Glasgow but went to Charterhouse School, Godalming, and studied at New College Oxford.

He joined the Royal Marines in 1944, aged 18, and was commissioned as an officer in 1946.

After the war, he married Daphne in 1951 and worked as a high-ranking civil servant in Malaya from 1951-59 during the communist uprising and also as a sub-lieutenant in the Malayan Royal Navy Reserve.

His father had been stationed at Witley Camp during the war and loved the area, sending his son to Charterhouse School. James also loved the area and moved to Lynchmere in 1959, followed by a brief spell in Liverpool, after which he settled in Grayswood in 1965 and then to Haslemere, where he lived from 1974 onwards.

Mr Mackie worked as a commodities broker at the Grain and Feed Trade Association in the City of London, rising to become director general in 1971. A member of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, he was made Master in the millennium year 2000.

He joined the local Conservatives in 1965 and was made chairman in 1968, becoming chairman of the Farnham Conservative and Unionist Association in 1973. He joined Haslemere Town Council when he retired in 1991, serving as town mayor in 1993, and was elected a borough councillor in 1995.

He stepped down as a borough councillor in 2003 and as town councillor in 2010.

Among the many town committees Mr Mackie served were: Haslemere and District Volunteers Bureau, National Trust Blackdown Supporters, Haslemere Hall, Haslemere Museum, All Saints Grayswood PCC, Haslemere Hockey Club, Haslemere and District Twinning Association and the Dolmetsch Foundation.

He also found time to pursue his fascination with the Crimean War as a keen member of the research society and was a great traveller with a lifelong passion for Robert Burns.