Jim Nairn, one of the most experienced members of Scottish Borders Council has died aged 67 after a long battle against cancer.
Councillor Nairn, who began his working life on a Berwickshire dairy farm and ended it as a postman, mastered the complex briefs of social work for which he demonstrated a particular talent, both in local government and the voluntary field.
He was latterly chairman of Borders Council's social work committee, a role retitled executive member for the lifelong Care portfolio following the switch to a cabinet style of administration last year.
Despite increasing illness, he provided effective leadership for a team stretched by the service cuts imposed on all Borders Council departments as a result of last year's disastrous (pounds) 3.9m education budget overspend.
Council leader John Scott said of his colleague this week: ''Jim was a steadying factor in the administration. Even in the difficult times he faced over the past year he managed to retain his sense of humour. He will be a huge loss.''
Councillor Nairn was born in Selkirk in 1934 and went to work on a Westruther dairy farm between leaving school and enlisting in the army.
He served for three years in the Royal Signals in Germany and the Far and Middle East and developed a lasting enthusiasm for amateur radio. He was recalled to uniform from the reserve during the l956 Suez crisis.
Councillor Nairn worked for the Prudential insurance company before joining the Post Office from which he retired eight years ago when his council commitments became too great.
He first entered local government on the former Berwickshire District Council in l981. He was also a member of Borders Regional Council from 1991 to 1996 before switching to its successor body, Scottish Borders Council, on reorganisation as the member for Earlston and Gordon.
He also served on the Cosla social affairs forum, the Eastern Borders Citizens' Advice Bureaux, Victim Support, the Children's Panel, the Borders local health council, the NHS Borders board, and the Berwickshire district sports council.
Borders Council civic head Alastair Hewat said of him: ''Jim's life was one of service to his fellow human beings which stems back to the days he spent as a postman visiting people on his rounds.
''He is a great loss to local government and to all others who touched his life. He showed dedication to his work that is rarely seen and he was admired by all for the openness and bravery shown in his illness.''
Councillor Nairn was married twice. His first wife, Ann, died of leukaemia, an event which inspired him to set up a Borders branch of Leukaemia Research.
He is survived by his second wife, Helen, seven children, and 13 grandchildren.
James Nairn, councillor; born 1934, died August 13, 2002.
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