He was a councillor for 50 years, serving as Provost of both Greenock and then later Inverclyde.

But it was his passion for the health service that brought him his greatest acclaim, and his committment to the NHS was recognised with a knighthood.

Up until very recently Sir Simpson had lived an active life but following a short illness he passed away in Inverclyde Royal yesterday morning.

The former councillor was also a great Morton fan — and his family today told of his delight at their title victory only days ago.

His nephew Kenneth Stevenson, one of many close family members, said: “My uncle was fanatical about Morton and he was delighted on Saturday to find out they had won the title. He was a lifelong fan.

“Myself and my sister Lorna Morrison were very proud of my uncle, as we all were. “He was a great Labour man with great standing locally and was also very passionate about the health service.” During his long and illustrious spells in public office Simpson Stevenson held many influential positions.

He was first elected to the town council in 1949 at only 28-years-old, serving as Provost of Greenock from 1962 to 1965 and then Provost of Inverclyde from 1984 to 1988.

Sir Simpson was also chairman of the Western Regional Hospital Board from 1967 to 1973, then chairman of the Greater Glasgow Health Board from 1973 to 1983.

During that time he was appointed on a Royal Commission to the National Health Service by then-Prime Minister Jim Callaghan in 1976.

In the same year he was knighted by the Queen for services to the NHS.

Another important role he took on was as chairman of the Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency from 1973 to 1977.

During his many years in public life he served as chairman of James Watt College, regional chairman of the Prince’s Trust and vice chair of Clydeport.

Other highlights included an honorary doctorate from Glasgow University and he was appointed depute Lord Lieutenant for Renfrewshire too.

Sir Simpson retired as a councillor in 1999, having represented Larkfield for 25 years.

He was well respected in the local community, having run the general store in Angus Road with his wife Lady Jean. The Belville Street-born councillor was devastated when his wife of 54 years died in November 1999, the same year he retired.

A keen bowler, Simpson — who lived at Cragburn Gate in Gourock — was a past president of Ardgowan Bowling Club and up until a year ago he continued to play at the Inverclyde Indoor Bowls four times a week.

He grew up in Belville Street and was one of a family of eight. He worked as an apprentice in the Torpedo Factory in the Battery Park during the Second World War.

Sir Simpson often spoke to children during his school visits about his experiences as a volunteer during the Blitz. As a young man he was involved in the First Aid section of the Air Raid Precaution.

His job was to deal with emergencies as they arose and to attend to people who had been injured.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe led the tributes to the long-serving councillor.

He said: “I was very sad to hear of Sir Simpson’s passing. He is the last of that generation of councillors. He was in the council when I was elected in the mid-1990s and it was great to have someone like him to show me the ropes and to learn from.

“He achieved a great deal and when I was there he was instrumental in developing the Waterfront Complex as convenor of leisure.

“My thoughts are very much with his family and friends.”