TRIBUTES have poured in for a Benarty community stalwart who has died at the age of 60.

Gordon Mackie, from Lochgelly, passed away on Thursday after a long battle with illness.

Since his death, a string of groups and individuals have paid tribute to the dad-of-two who supported an array of groups, events and causes in the area.

A statement on the Benarty Events Group, who Gordon had been a tireless volunteer for for around 10 years, said they were "totally devastated" at his passing.

"Gordon was a great supporter of our group, and volunteered at all of our events over these past 10 years," they said.

"Gordon and his wife Susan were major players in getting our Companion Club off the ground, they both worked tirelessly in making it successful.

"Gordon was always one of the first names on the volunteers list for our gala, pipeband, Rockore and stewarding of our Santa parade. Even with his illness, he was down at the gala helping with organising and distributing gala boxes, litter picking and on hand to carry out any task that was required, most of it in the pouring rain.

"As his illness progressed, he was absolutely devastated that he was unfit to volunteer at this year's Rockore and forwarded his apologies for this.

"There’s no doubt about it, both the Benarty Events Group and our Community are weaker without Gordon’s presence."

Eddie Easson, chair of the group, said the community had lost "another giant."

He added: "Gordon was go to person when you were having an event. He was always geared up ready to go whatever the task. He was an accomplished artist his works can be seen throughout the community.

"They broke the mould when Gordon was born, there will never be another like him. He was a friend to everyone an enemy to none."

The Lochgelly Events Company paid tribute to the community "legend".

Posting on Facebook, they said: "Gordon helped me on a number of community projects, always just a phone call away! Our last project was bringing the Santa Sleigh to Lochgelly.

"Gordon did all our artwork, our Glympse app, updates as we headed into many a street. Even just last week he was giving me orders and projects to finish always going above and beyond when his own situation was bad! What a legend!"

Iain Chalmers, from the Save the Cage project, said it was an "honour and privilege" to have known him.

He added: "Our thoughts are with Susan and the family as we remember Gordon’s involvement and contribution to oor wee project and on a personal level his magnificent front cover of my book.

"He will be missed by all that knew him."

Posting on Facebook, the Benarty Community Shop page said its members were really sad to hear of the passing of Gordon.

They added: "He helped us when the shop opened and made a beautiful job of painting our shutters, depicting the heritage of our mining past. He also made us laugh. "We are all well aware of the part he played in the community. We are forever grateful for the part he played in our story."

A funeral service for Gordon, who is survived by wife Susan, children Shaun and Lyndsay, and four grandchildren, will take place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Tuesday, September 26 at 2.15pm.