As a respected figure within the Aberdeen Presbytery, John Maitland was known by many as a caring Christian who would always go out of his way to help those in need.
During his time with the Scottish Caravan Club, serving as chairman of the club’s north centre and later as president of the Scottish division, he and his wife Mary made hundreds of friends throughout the country.
And in his role as chief electrical engineer at the former Grampian Regional Council at Woodhill House in Aberdeen, Mr Maitland was regarded as a skilled professional who was respected in his field.
Mr Maitland died peacefully on April 1 at the Hamewith Lodge Nursing Home at the age of 89.
Described by his family as “patient”, “a true gentlemen” and possessing a “very dry sense of humour”, Mr Maitland was well-known across the north-east and beyond.
He and his wife made many happy memories with the Scottish Caravan Club, and on one proud occasion Mr Maitland hosted a visit from the Duke of Edinburgh in Ballater, who had been attending one of the club’s events.
He met his future wife, Mary, at the Bon Accord St Paul’s church through its youth fellowship, and his faith would continue to be a large part of his life for the rest of his days.
His daughter Jane said: “All throughout his life Dad was very involved with the church, even from a young age, because his own father was involved in the church and his auntie was a missionary.
“It was a really big part of his life.
“He would spend days on his computer in his wee office doing church work.
“He was very patient, very forgiving, and the most common thing everyone has been saying about him is that he was a true gentleman.”
On top of all of his other responsibilities, Mr Maitland was also a captain with the Boy’s Brigade, having joined himself when he was just five years old.
Mr Maitland’s wife Mary said: “He was a super person, with a very dry sense of humour.
“John was always willing to help out anywhere as a church elder and boy’s brigade captain.
“We made hundreds of friends through the caravan club. Our phone hasn’t stopped ringing from people calling up who had known John from way back.
“He was quiet and gentle, and just John, that’s the best way to describe him.”
Jane added: “He retired early because of heart problems.
“He had two bypass operations and a period of ill-health, and eventually he had to step back from the caravanning and the church.
“He was diagnosed with dementia, which we thought was really cruel as we thought he had suffered enough, and he spent the last three-and-a-half years in a care home.
“But he really remained a character all the way through.”
Mr Maitland was a proud husband of Mary, father of Jane, Douglas and the late Andrew, grandfather of Andrew, Amy and Christopher, and great-grandfather to Bobby, Olly and Ellie.
