A familiar figure in Oxford CAMRA circles until a few years ago, John Mackie, died on 27 June aged 85. Mobility problems meant he had been housebound for the last few years but had a steady stream of visitors at his flat overlooking Florence Park and remained an active commentator on Facebook until recently.

Scotsman John was a civil servant for HM Customs and Excise, working in various parts of the country on VAT issues which brought him into contact with a wide range of people. When he moved to Oxford in the 1980s, he became a member of CAMRA and was often seen at social events and branch meetings, with an eye for detail meaning he could audit branch accounts.

He was particularly keen on campaigning issues, encouraging the branch to reward pubs, breweries and individuals who had done something special. He was involved with the Campaigner of the Year award nationally and took his beer tasting seriously often to be seen making notes as he went around.

Even when he could no longer stand to serve at the Oxford Beer Festival, he came along to help with staffing. On his 80th birthday, he was presented with a long-service award and a Dundee cake baked by Oxford CAMRA’s then chairman, Pete Flynn.

A committed Socialist, John’s other great interest in later life was the Oxfordshire Branch of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), campaigning on issues affecting retired people nationally and locally. He was treasurer of this branch until a few years ago and became a prolific letter writer in the local media.

Iain Blacklaw, formerly of Oxford CAMRA, said: “I moved to Oxford in 1985 and joined the local CAMRA branch where I met John. I moved to Ipswich in 1996 but we kept in touch by sending each other our respective CAMRA newsletters, Last Orders and the Oxford Drinker.

“More recently we met at various Oxford beer festivals and an occasional branch social during my visits to. I had known him for almost 40 years. He was a very nice man, and it was always a pleasure to meet him, and have a pint or two and a chat. He will be sorely missed.”