We have had some very sad news this week. One of The Edinburgh Reporter’s journalists, Andy Mackie, died suddenly and unexpectedly last weekend.
Andy’s brother James wrote:-“Andy was born on 23rd December 1972 (i’m sure meaning a sleepless Christmas for our parents!!) in Edinburgh.
The family moved to Poltonhall when Andrew was 5 and he lived there for the majority of the rest of his life.
He had a life long love of music, in particular Bruce Springsteen & Bon Jovi whom he saw on numerous occasions over the years.
He was a member for 20+ years of Liberton Rugby Club where he served as player, 2nd Team Captain & Committee member. He forged many friendships at the club which exist to this day.
Andy also helped organise the bi-annual trip to Wales to visit Liberton’s “sister” club Llandaff North, again a place where he had many friends.
Also Andy enjoyed a great debate about a wide variety of topics from sport (he was a keen follower of Heart of Midlothian), politics, music & many more.
A funeral service will take place at 12 o’clock in the main chapel at Mortonhall Crematorium on Friday 7 June 2013, to which all friends & family are invited.
The procession will stop briefly outside Liberton Rugby Club on route to Mortonhall.
Andy was a member of Liberton RFC and they have their own tributes to him on their Facebook page. In addition Landaff North have an article on their website to publish their own thoughts which you can read here.
Phyllis Stephen said:-“I first met Andy at Edinburgh Napier when I went to talk to the journalism students there about The Edinburgh Reporter and how they might help out. Andy quickly offered to write political articles for us. He arrived at the office with a really small notebook and pencil, but loads of ideas about who to interview and how to get the story. He had a real gift for writing and a bright future ahead. I am very shocked at the news of his untimely death. Very typical of him is this line from one of his emails to me ‘Just finished my exams today. I can try and grab someone to talk to tomorrow morning.’ He is a real loss to us.”
Fellow student, Gavin Harper, said:-“Firstly, Andy was someone who took time out his day to speak to, and make friends with, everyone on our course and his guidance helped a number of us through tough times.
Secondly, as a budding sports and political journalist, his breadth and depth of knowledge were extraordinary. Whether it be local by-elections of the mid 80s or the Rugby World Cup just past, Andy knew it all.
He was, simply, a great person. A ‘people’s person’ if you will, who will be much missed by us all.”
Another classmate, Steven Robson said:-“Andy was one of the ‘good guys’. Never one to complain about work, but a leader who took pleasure in helping others.
A video of him was made by fellow student, Steven Robson, at the time:-
“Andy was a gentle, thoughtful student who was respected by students and staff. During his final year his ambition and clear-headed approach to his future often lead him to opt for key editorial roles, never shirking responsibility, and always leading by example. I have no doubt that Andy would have gone on to report Scottish politics and would have revelled in covering the independence debate. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.” Diane Maclean, Subject Group Leader, Journalism and Publishing, Edinburgh Napier University.
“Andy’s considerable and unique range of qualities; commitment, enormous talent, gentleness, humility, intelligence, kindness and wit will, I’m sure, continue to inspire the Journalism staff and students at Edinburgh Napier University. Particularly so in his own classmates, the class of 2013. His humour and hard-working humanity were his hallmark traits. It is of comfort, though, that he concluded his degree, towards which he had worked so hard. All our thoughts are with his family.” Kate Smith, Journalism Lecturer.
It was a pleasure knowing Andy. Genuinely the nicest bloke you could hope to meet. He always gave the time to chat about music and sport and has given indispensable advice and guidance to me and our peers over the past few years. He has had a great influence on my life. Sean McLennan, BA (hons) Journalism, Class of 2013.
As journalists, we depend on words to put our story across, to convey emotion and to describe events. In this instance, words are insignificant. They could never fully describe the impact that Andy had on us. He was a good friend, classmate, and someone we all looked up to and respected. He will be sorely missed by so many people, but he left each and every one of us with something to treasure – our memories of him. Karen Rafferty, BA (Hons) Journalism, Class of 2013.
The news of Andy’s passing came as a shock to all of us. He was a hard worker, a talented journalist, and a figure of guidance and help to all of us classmates. But most importantly, he was a kind, patient, and decent guy. Because of his previous work experience, he began this degree a foot ahead of everyone else. While most people would have kept their knowledge of the field to themselves, to carry on with their degree and achieve great marks, Andy was always willing to lend a hand and share his experience with all of us. He never missed out on important celebrations. He always made sure he attended birthdays and parties when we celebrated university group achievements, so we all got to know him and learned to appreciate him as a friend. On June 27 when we all graduate, his absence will be noticed and it will feel wrong. Journalism has lost a talented man, and the people who knew him lost an incredibly decent guy, one of the good ones. Giulia Mattei, BA (Hons) Journalism, Class of 2013.
Andy’s work can be seen on The Edinburgh Reporter and also on his own website here.
Thanks to Gavin Harper and James Mackie for the photos.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
