TRIBUTES have poured in for a former Kilmacolm councillor who was also one of the country's leading heart specialists and devoted his life to saving patients.

Dr Tom Fyfe, born and brought up in Greenock, was a cardiologist at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow and went on to serve as the clinical director.

Greenock Telegraph:

He died unexpectedly at the age of 84 on September 21.

Greenock Telegraph:

During his career the consultant was at the cutting edge of some of the greatest advances in medicine, fitting pacemakers for patients and prolonging their lives.

But he was also a local councillor who had two spells in elected office, and was part of the Liberal Democrat administration which ran Inverclyde Council from 2003-07.

He served as convenor of the environment and regeneration board while he was also a member of the health board.

His family told the Tele that they have been deeply moved by the messages received following his death, from all those who knew him as a councillor and former hospital colleagues.

His daughter Johanne, who lives in Kilmacolm, said: "Dad's death was very sudden and so it came as a shock to us all.

"But our family has been helped by all the lovely messages from people who knew him and worked with him.

"At his funeral there were nurses who worked with him on the ward, which was lovely because he retired more than 20 years ago.

"He was devoted to my mum and to his family, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

"I hope he will be remembered for his service to other people. He was dedicated to the NHS, to his community and to his work with the council."

Born in 1939, Tom was brought up in Greenock's west end, latterly on the Esplanade, attending Greenock Academy.

Tom went on to study medicine at the University of Glasgow then worked in the Southern General.

A devoted family man, he met and married his wife Kate, who was a radiographer, at the Western Infirmary, in 1965.

They moved to Kilmacolm where they raised their family, Johanne, Alastair and Peter.

As a well his role as a cardiologist Tom continued to pursue his politics, serving as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Kilmacolm in the 1980s.

When Dr Fyfe retired from his role at the Southern General he went back into the local political scene.

The Lib Dem was elected to Inverclyde Council in 2003 and then re-elected four years later before standing down in 2012.

But he continued to represent the village and remained passionate about preserving Kilmacolm as part of the Civic Trust.

Friend Alan Blair, the former Lib Dem council leader, said: "During Tom's service on the council he was instrumental in the development of the Kilmacolm village centre.

"He was also behind improvements to Birkmyre Park too.

"We were old school pals at Greenock Academy, we were in the Liberal Club together and we were lifelong friends.

"Tom will be sadly missed by so many people. He played a huge role in his service as a councillor and also as a cardiologist. He was a great man."

Dr Fyfe is survived by his wife Kate, his three children and his six grandchildren who he was immensely proud of: Leia, Matt, Lily, Charlotte, Olivia and Chloe.