Norman Dunn, a well-known Helensburgh Central councillor and former Navy Lieutenant Commander, died at the Vale of Leven Hospital on Saturday, October 19.

The 89-year-old father-of-three — who was married to wife Sheila and had three daughters Margaret, Kathryn and Rowena — was well respected within the community and amongst his peers in Argyll and Bute Council.

He was renowned for putting his community and family first and served for 12 years as a councillor first on Dumbarton District Council and then on Argyll and Bute Council.

Former Provost and friend Billy Petrie said: “Norman was a dedicated councillor, not only for his local constituents within Helensburgh Central ward but for the community as a whole.

“He was a man of integrity, a real gentleman who was held in very high esteem by all his fellow councillors and staff.

“The community is poorer for his passing.” Before his stint as a councillor, Norman was an air artificer apprentice in the Royal Navy, joining at the age of 16 and upon his retirement from the forces took up a position with global firm Polaroid, based in the Vale of Leven. During his time in the Navy, Norman served during the second world war in India, later on HMS Eagle and HMS Theseus, and on various deployments abroad and in the UK.

The family man rose through the ranks eventually reaching Lieutenant Commander before retiring in 1970 after 32 years of service.

Former Navy colleague Rob MacLean spoke highly of his friend. He said: “Norman was part of the first aircraft maintenance squadron and served during WW2 in India. I met him a few times on different squadrons and at the Royal Navy Engineering College when Norman was an instructor, we have stayed friends ever since.

“He shared a few stories with me — when travelling back from one of his deployments, there was an earthquake in Cyprus and the Royal Navy stopped to help.

“Norman helped to put up tents for refugees on the island and at that time Norman had a beard and several of the Cypriots believed he was a priest, so at night Norman went round blessing and throwing water on them.

“He was promoted to officer rank and served with a number of squadrons before becoming Lieutenant Commander.” After Norman retired from the Navy, Rob employed him at the Polaroid factory in the Vale of Leven. At the time Rob was general manager, and Norman took up the position of production controller in 1970. He was then transferred to the USA in 1977, working on special projects for the firm before moving to the Republic of Ireland in 1980 as part of the team setting up a new factory there.

He was brought back to the Vale of Leven in 1983 as a training advisor. Tom Tait, a friend who worked with Norman at Polaroid and paid tribute to his faultless work ethic.

He added: “He was a nice, likable fellow, he would never do anyone a bad turn and was well respected while at Polaroid and as a councillor.

“He was good at his job when he worked at Polaroid and was concerned for the people he represented as a councillor.” After retiring from Polaroid, Norman didn’t rest and was elected as a councillor in 1988, and appointed JP sitting in court in Dumbarton in the same year.

He also studied for an Open University degree in History, which he graduated from in 1991. Norman was a keen member of Helensburgh Probus Club, active with the Royal British Legion, and chairman of the local Conservative Association and Old People’s Welfare Association. His funeral took place at Cardross Crematorium on Monday, October 28 at 3.15pm.