Tributes have flooded in for a 100-year-old Edinburgh Hibs fan and Niddrie legend after his sad death, one month after reaching his milestone birthday.
John Miller celebrated becoming a centenarian on November 4 at Jewel House in Bingham with a special visit from Hibernian legend Pat Stanton, leaving him overjoyed.
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The 100-year-old was a proud dad to Rikki Miller, Jeff Miller and Donna Meannie, who were able to spend many quality moments with their dad till the end.
Despite being in good health, John took ill on Monday, December 12 and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died peacefully on Tuesday morning (December 13).
Following his special birthday, Edinburgh Live had the privilege of meeting the warm and chatty John Miller at his care home to talk about his incredible life.
We spent over an hour blethering away about John's long life starting from his school days in the Southside, to a long career in the Navy, working in coal mines and falling in love.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live John Miller said: "I was a Southsider before I moved to Niddrie later on and stayed in Moredun for a while too.
"I was born in the city hospital and stayed on Bowmont Place near Brown Street and the Pleasance.
"I joined the Navy as a boy and was moved away from my parents young because I was the only one working.
"I'm a Hibee supporter, I played when I was younger and when I was in school and I have always supported them.
"Most of my family were Jambos but I always got on with my uncle and he supported Hibs.
"I used to love going to Easter Road, one time I got a job on the trams working on a busy Saturday working as a conductor.
"There was a special service on Saturdays for the football that ran from St Andrew Square to Leith, this was the last service so I jumped off down the bottom of Easter Road left all the customers and went to the match.
"When I went back afterwards the guy asked where I was and I said I had been at the match and I got sacked."
John always stood up for his family and defended women and told one story of when he had to protect his auntie.
He explained: "I had an argument with my uncle once and he chucked me out of the house because I told him, 'If I was your son and I'd punch you in the jaw for the way you are speaking to my auntie'
"'He said aw would you now? Get out then John'
"So I went along Niddrie Mains and told my other auntie that and she said 'I would've punched him an all.' He wasn't a nice kind of guy."
One thing that John told us that he believed was behind a long and healthy life was never touching a cigarette.
He said: "I never smoked, I never even smoked in the Navy so I didn't have much chance of getting cancer. Every month the officers got free cigarettes and I would just trade them away."
While in the Navy the 100-year-old had the great pride of being his captain's best man at his wedding.
"My boss was getting married and he asked me to be his best man, he was my captain at the time which was a big compliment," he added.
John was married to his wife Frances for many years and the pair had three wonderful children together.
He said: "I never broke the law. I always looked after myself and I got married when I was 24 years old after the war finished, my wife had been in the Navy too.
"I met her in Niddrie and it was her brother Jim my best friend who introduced me to his little sister.
"Frances was a nice-looking woman, we spent time together and I quickly knew that she was the one for me."
John had worked as a miner at Newtongrange and Mortanahall throughout the years in between working in the Navy and retiring.
He said "I worked at Mortonhall in the pit for about fourteen years, the pit was the best job I ever had, and the boys were great.
"I stayed a new scheme in Niddrie when it was first built, people say Niddrie is a bad place but I have never found it bad and you get bad everywhere.
"If you were looking for a job you could always find one in the Brewery. Niddrie got a bad name but it was a great community."
Dozens in the community were heartbroken by John's death and recalled what a gentleman and character he was who touched the lives of so many.
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Many left tributes thanking the 100-year-old for the special times they had experienced with him and for always helping others.
Elizabeth Daly said: "Safe journey home John."
Heather Turner said: "Aww R.I.P lovely John, loved sharing your memories. Such a caring very strong independent soul. Sleep well pal."
While Fran Batchelor said: "Aww so sorry to read this. John was such a total gentleman and a great person to visit when I was his carer. RIP JOHN 100% pure gentleman."
Brian Aitken also said: "R. I.P Johny, thanks for keeping me safe when I did my coal face training, condolences to the family."
Audrey Finlayson added: "Pure Gentleman and some character RIP Johnny GBDNF."
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