Hundreds mourn council leader Ian
Councillor Campbell’s funeral at St John’s Kirk
Ian Campbell’s coffin leaves St John’s Kirk Ian Campbell had been a councillor since 2007
Rev Murdoch greets Ian Campbell’s daughter Emma, wife Pam, sister Lorraine Fulbrook MP, daughter Louise Killough with her sons Cameron and Euan The life of council leader Ian Campbell was marked yesterday.
Hundreds of friends, family and colleagues from across the political spectrum turned out at his funeral in St John’s Kirk in Perth on Thursday, February 15. Councillor Campbell passed away last week after a short battle with cancer.
The service was led by the kirk’s Rev John Murdoch, who said: “We remember a Glasgow man who Perthshire took to its heart, loved and treasured by family and respected and known throughout the county.”
Condolences were passed to his wife Pam, his twin daughters Louise Killough and Emma, and his grandsons Cameron and Euan. Tributes were also paid to his late mother Margo, who sadly passed away only a fortnight before Ian. Her funeral is to be held next week in Staffordshire.
Ian’s sister Lorraine Fullbrook, a Conservative MP, spoke about growing up with Ian, and his time working for Cadbury’s, his love of cooking and his favourite band The Rolling Stones.
She also spoke about his humble beginnings as a bin man aged 17, and how his future wife Pam had to throw stones at his bedroom window each morning to wake him up for his paper round.
She also delved into his school report cards, which brought a ripple of laughter around the kirk, and how he went to the London School of Economics to follow in the footsteps of his idol Mick Jagger.
She said: “He was an amazing father and to his grandsons who he adored above anything else. He was a very kind man who did everything he could for his family and anyone who needed help.”
Provost Dennis Melloy also spoke, saying: “His focus was on raising education standards, rural healthcare, and getting young families better services. His commitment and championing of rural Perthshire was clear to everyone who met him. “He was a big man with a big heart.” Among those to attend the service was Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Pete Wishart MP and Murdo Fraser MSP.
Councillor Campbell had represented the Highland ward at Perth and Kinross Council since 2007, before becoming the leader of the Conservative group in 2016.
Following his landslide victory in last year’s election he became the council leader.
A reception service was held at the council’s Civic Hall following the funeral service. Councillor Ian Campbell was then buried yesterday afternoon at Aberfeldy Cemetery, in the heart of the Highland ward he served.
A retiring collection was made in aid of Cancer Research UK.