Jim was a true stalwart of Linlithgow

Jim McGurk sadly passed away last week at the age of 68, however his family say his memory will live on in Linlithgow.

Born in Edinburgh on October 22, 1947, Jim spent all his days in Linlithgow working in the district council.

Son David said: “Dad was very community focused and everything he did was to try and help Linlithgow.”

Jim was an administrative officer in the leisure services department in 1995 when he suddenly found himself putting Linlithgow on the map.

His numbers came up in the lottery making him, his wife of 47 years Joyce and his two sons, David and Craig, Scotland’s first big winners.

Despite the seven figure sum, Jim continued working for a few more years before retiring in 1998.

Jim was ever present at all Linlithgow’s big occasions and he took up many different roles in the Marches.

Provost Jim Carlin said: “Jim was a fantastic man who devoted so much to Linlithgow.

“He will fondly be remembered for his dry sense of humour and unflappable demeanour as he pieced together the jigsaw that is the template for a successful Marches.”

For four decades Jim was a member at Linlithgow Golf Club and club captain Iain Harrison said: “He was ahead of his time with the work he did for this club.

“Our flag is at half-mast in respect for this brilliant man.”

Jim’s true character and love for Linlithgow was shown at this year’s Marches, where despite his poor health he still attended the celebration to watch the procession, sadly for the final time.