A man of vision, Jack Nicoll contributed to many aspects of north-east life – first as a journalist and then in local government.
Between stints in his adopted hometown of Aberdeen, he also made his mark on Dundee, where he coined the “City of Discovery” motto, for which the city is now known around the world.
Mr Nicoll, who has died aged 88, took on challenges throughout his life, according to his daughter Joyce, and succeeded thanks to his strong work ethic.
Working as a journalist with Aberdeen Journals, he was known for his determination to chase down a story and his insightful comment on local issues.
After 18 years as a reporter, Mr Nicoll was appointed director of publicity by the city council where he worked from St Nicolas House and was instrumental in the creation of the International Festival of Youth Orchestras.
His flair for writing led him to become the author of a popular and free Aberdeen manual titled the Official Handbook and Industrial Review, which was widely circulated locally.
Toward the end of 1975, Mr Nicoll was appointed director of leisure, recreation and tourism for Grampian Regional Council.
Among his proudest achievements was contributing to the development of Haughton Park and Grampian Transport Museum, both in Alford.
Away from the office, his life outside work was just as fulfilling.
After being demobbed from the Royal Navy, where he served as secretary to the Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet towards the end of World War II, he met his wife-to-be Marjorie.
The couple went on to have four children and were happily married for 62 years until Mrs Nicoll’s death 16 months ago.
In the early 1980s he returned to his hometown of Broughty Ferry to take on the role of caring for his mother who was suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
During his time there, Mr Nicoll used his experience from the north-east to help shape the cultural life of Dundee.
Taking on the role of deputy director of tourism at Dundee City Council, he negotiated the return of the iconic Discovery ship and oversaw the successful re-branding to “City of Discovery”
On his return to the north-east, he spent many happy hours doting on his family, whom he loved dearly.
Spending most of his life in Aberdeen, Mr Nicoll spent 14 years in Peterculter before moving to Cults five years ago and latterly lived in Hawkhill Nursing Home in Milltimber.
In his spare time, he was a regular at Aboyne Golf Club and put a great deal of his effort into his beloved garden, where, even in the later stages of vascular dementia, he could still name the local fauna and identify the birds on the bird table.
Mr Nicoll is survived by his three children, Joyce, Alan and Wendy, eight grandchildren and one great grandson.