A true gentleman, people person and campaigner for those with a disability, John was also secretary of the Scottish Federation for the Welfare of the Blind.

His family have been heartened by the numerous personal tributes they have received from those touched by John's enthusiasm, commitment, knowledge and support to the disabled.

They have also been contacted by clients and staff past and present from all over the country who met John in his role as regional controller, covering in his time the sites at Princess Alexandra House in Forfar and the Association's centres in Belfast and Larkhall.

John Duncan, who has been described as a gentle, kind, considerate and even-tempered man, was born in Paisley.

He left Paisley Grammar to work in the local mill at J & P Coates, as did his father before him.

With excellent school qualifications he joined as a management trainee and his time with the company saw him work for a spell with Chadwicks Mills in Bolton and then in a mill in Columbia where he was to help set up a new production process and motivate the locals.

John also spent some time with the textile firm, Barbours in Kilbirnie, before joining Remploy in Aberdeen, working with the disabled in furniture manufacturing.

His work led John in a new direction in terms of his management skills, and his role became as focused on the needs of his blind and disabled workforce and their needs as much as on the products that they were producing.

His next job continued this journey as his focus shifted entirely to the needs of his clients when he became Regional Controller of Scotland and Northern Ireland for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association based at Princess Alexandra House in Forfar, in October 1989.

His work allowed him many opportunities to help others, including his clients, dog owners and his staff.

He retired from Guide Dogs in 1999 at the age of 60 but continued to work in his role as secretary for the Scottish Federation for the Welfare of the Blind.

John was also among the guests who attended the official opening by the Association's patron, Princess Alexandra, of the new Guide Dog Training School at Orchardbank in Forfar earlier this summer

He also underwent training as a Humanist celebrant, and from his training in May 2005 until six months ago he was a wonderful support to many families.

John was diagnosed with cancer in May 2003 and, after treatment, remained in remission until March 2007.

He always remained positive about his condition, and saw it as yet another opportunity to learn and develop and share what time he had with generosity which was one of his hallmarks.

Away from work John was a dedicated family man, a lover of jazz music, his garden and his dogs.

He was also a member of Forfar Rotary Club but had to retire though ill-health.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, whom he married in 1993, his two daughters Alison and Eleanor and four grand-children, as well as Evelyn's daughters Dawn and Emma and two step-grandchildren.

Paying tribute to John, Ian Flanigan, district team manager for the Guide Dogs' East of Scotland team, praised the work he did with the disabled and visually impaired.

He said: "John worked with the Guide Dogs for 10 years and had a genuine interest for the welfare of visually impaired people.

"He did a great deal to improve their quality of life and, after retiring from Guide Dogs, he continued this work with the Scottish Federation for the Welfare of the Blind."