Aberdeenshire Council’s chambers fell silent yesterday as members paused to remember their late colleague, John Duncan.
Mr Duncan, a councillor for the Troup area since 2002, died earlier this month.
The retired farmer, who was in his early 80s, was a member of the local authority’s social work and housing committee and had attended a meeting on the day he took ill.
Yesterday, a minute’s silence was held at the beginning of the full council meeting at Woodhill House.
Provost Jill Webster paid tribute to Mr Duncan, describing him as a “gentleman”.
She said: “John was a champion of older people who was never afraid to stand up for what was right, but he was always a gentleman.
“Of the very many tributes paid, that is what I have heard more than anything else.
“One of his other passions was, of course, farming.
“He was a quiet and astute man who was always worth listening to and he will be sorely missed.”
Mr Duncan is survived by his sons John and Alan, daughter Aileen, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Chamber falls silent in tribute to councillor John Duncan
