An Aberdeenshire community stalwart and former councillor has passed away at the age of 88 as tributes were paid to the “true gentleman” and “exemplary man”.
Carl Nelson MBE was first elected in 1992 at Kincardine and Deeside District Council where he represented the Scottish Conservatives. In 1994, he received an MBE at Buckingham Palace from the late Queen Elizabeth for services to the community.
Two years later, Carl went on to be a councillor for North Kincardine on the newly formed Aberdeenshire Council, representing the area for more than two decades before retiring in 2017.
During this time, he held various positions, including chair of Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee and the board of Grampian Fire and Rescue.
In a tribute to their father, Carl’s daughter Hilary and son Graham said: “Dad was a real people person who truly enjoyed helping others and serving the community he loved to the very best of his ability.
“He was totally dedicated to his role as a councillor.”
Scottish Conservative Aberdeenshire Association chairman, John Duncan MBE, added: “Carl Nelson MBE will be fondly remembered by all who knew him as a true gentleman who undertook his council duties with professionalism, dedication and good humour.
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“He will be greatly missed by everyone associated with the Scottish Conservatives, both across the north-east, and further afield.”
Councillor Wendy Agnew, who succeeded Carl as chair of Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee in 2017, said: “I came to know Carl well as an honourable man who was conscientious in his work as a councillor.
“He was always caring towards particular concerns within his ward and the issues that mattered to individual constituents. Carl was respected by all who knew him and will be dearly missed.”
Councillor George Carr, former chair of Kincardine and West Aberdeenshire Conservatives and a former colleague of Carl’s, added: “Carl and his family were thrilled to deservedly receive his MBE in 1994.
“This highlighted his achievements and the respect for Carl from his constituents, cross-party political colleagues and council officers.
“I will always cherish the memories of working alongside Carl, who was an exemplary man in everything he did.”
“This highlighted his achievements and the respect for Carl from his constituents, cross-party political colleagues and council officers.
“I will always cherish the memories of working alongside Carl, who was an exemplary man in everything he did.”