Tributes have poured in for former Aberdeen City Council leader John Stewart, who has died after a long battle with cancer.
Mr Stewart, who died on Saturday aged 49, has been described as a “positive and caring person” and an “honourable politician” by friends and colleagues.
The former leader of the Liberal Democrat party in Aberdeen had been the head of the local authority for two years before stepping down from the position in 2011.
Current party leader Ian Yuill led the tributes for Mr Stewart as he praised him for his commitment to make a positive difference for the people he represented.
He said: “My thoughts, and those of Liberal Democrats in Aberdeen and beyond, are with John Stewart’s husband Neil, their families and friends.
“John Stewart was passionate about making a difference. That passion was obvious during his time as leader of Aberdeen City Council when he worked to make a real positive difference despite the huge challenges faced by the council.
“He was a hard-working local councillor who stood up for the communities and people he represented.
“John was a positive, friendly and caring person. He was respected for his strong commitment to public service and to the welfare of others. John’s death at so young an age is difficult to accept and leaves a gap in the lives of many.”
‘A passionate and committed councillor’
Mr Stewart was first elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Berryden in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007 before taking charge of the party and local council in 2009.
He was an early advocate of moving the council to Marischal College and introduced zero-based budgeting to steady the council after many years of financial challenges.
As a passionate supporter of many sports, Mr Stewart also led on the development of the Aberdeen Sports Village and worked to bring many prestigious events to the city.
Dozens of Mr Stewart’s friends from over the years in politics have now paid tributes to the “extraordinary” man, who was always driven to make the world a better place.
Chief executive of Grampian Housing Associate Craig Stirrat said: “Such a tragic loss. I remember John as a passionate and committed councillor who did not fear making the necessary difficult decisions to improve services to the public and balance the books.
“This demonstrates his commitment to fulfil civic duty as an honourable politician with great integrity at a time when lesser mortals would walk away from this responsibility knowing there would be no personal gain.”
Maggie Bochel, director of Aurora Planning, said: “As head of planning for Aberdeen City Council I worked very closely with John. His passion, knowledge and commitment to making the city a better place was staggering.
“I was shocked and extremely saddened to hear this news and my thoughts are with Neil and John’s family.”
Former chief executive of Aberdeen City Council Dame Sue Bruce and Aberdeen Central MSP and Scottish Government minister Kevin Stewart also sent their condolences to Mr Stewart’s family – saying he was a “thoughtful and considerate person”.
Chief executive of Dundee Heritage Trust Deirdre Robertson said she felt privileged to have been Mr Stewart’s friend.
She said: “John was an exceptional extraordinarily passionate, authentic life force, driven to make the world a better place.
“He was incredibly good company and will be sorely missed especially by those privileged to have counted him as a dear friend.”
One of first civil partnerships in Scotland
Born in Kilmarnock, Mr Stewart moved north to study at Aberdeen University, where he met his future husband and long-standing partner Neil Fletcher, 58, in 1992.
After 13 years together, they became the second couple in Scotland to become civil partners at a ceremony and blessing at King’s College in 2005. They converted the civil partnership to a marriage in 2014.
Mr Fletcher said: “John lived a good and full life. I’m honoured that he chose me as his life partner.”
Mr Stewart and Mr Fletcher were early investors and supporters of Ellon-based craft beer company Brewdog and visited over 90 bars across the UK and abroad.
After Mr Stewart stepped down from his position as Aberdeen City Council leader in 2011, the couple moved to Manchester.
He remained a supporter of Kilmarnock football club all his life and enjoyed pub life and attending the music scene in Manchester.