Tributes paid to 'hard-working' councillor who 'wanted to make the world a better place'
Last updated 21 hours ago
Tributes have been paid to a councillor in the Scottish Borders who has died suddenly while on holiday.
John PatonDay - who represented the Scottish National Party in the Leaderdale and Melrose ward - is being remembered as a hard-working public servant who wanted to make the world a better place.
Elaine Thornton-Nichol, leader of the SNP group on Scottish Borders Council, said they are deeply saddened by the loss of their friend and colleague.
She said Councillor PatonDay passed away suddenly while on holiday on Wednesday, surrounded by his family.
“John was a strong advocate for Independence, out leafleting a few days ago, and truly fought for our cause," she added.
“Please keep his wife Alison and his family in your thoughts.”
Selkirkshire Independent councillor Caroline Cochrane said she was “deeply saddened” to hear of the passing of a “respected colleague”.
Former Liberal Democrat MSP and Borders councillor Jim Hume also paid tribute. He said: “Sorry to hear this news. A man who wanted to make the world a better place. Thinking of family and friends.”
John was first elected to represent Leaderdale and Melrose in 2007, serving as a Liberal Democrat councillor until 2012. He was re-elected to the Council in 2022, representing the Scottish National Party.
Following his election in 2022, John was appointed Scottish Borders Council’s Champion for the Creative Arts, a role established to ensure that those involved in creative expression through the visual, literary and performing arts had their voices heard.
Council convener Watson McAteer said: “John made a valued contribution to the work of the Council and to the communities he represented.
"As Champion for the Creative Arts, he was committed to ensuring that people involved in the arts across the Borders region had the opportunity to share their views and have their voices heard.
“On behalf of the Council, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to John’s family, friends and all those who knew and worked with him at this very sad time.”
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