THE family of a beloved community figure have paid tribute to him following his death in September.

Michael Ogilvie, of Ogilvie's Butchers in Morton, passed away peacefully at Penrith Hospital on September 14 with family by his side.

Mike, or Spike as he was known, was a prominent member of the community and was well-known through his lifelong career as a butcher in Carlisle as well as his role within the local Freemason lodge and his support for charities.

His son Jono Ogilvie describes him as "a brilliant father, a brilliant father-in-law, brilliant husband, brilliant granddad, and a friend to many.

"Anybody that needed him, got him, and that's it for life. You were part of the family or you were part of the circle of friends."

Spike got his start in the world of butchery as a teenager at John Steeles before moving onto Dewhurst and then Littlewoods where he was the boss of the entire butchery department.

But, it was in October 1986 when the opportunity to set-up his own butchers with his wife Jennifer arose, and his business empire began.

If someone was unable to afford a bit of meat then Spike would conveniently lose it and give it to them - with customers always returning to pay him back for the food given to them.

"If anybody needed money, he'd be there with it," said Jono.

"If anybody needed help with anything else, he could help with, he'd be there and he'd never ask for any help back."

Spike's generosity and care for his community extended beyond his day-to-day work and into his personal life where he raised a lot of money for charity as a member of the Freemasons.

He was a high-up figure in the local lodge having served as Grand Master at one point.

Jono added: "He wanted to help pay for the teddy bears that you get at the infirmary. He wanted to help buy the blood bikes, he wanted to help with the air ambulance, he wanted to help with paying money for the Eden Valley Hospice.

"We were always doing charity nights to raise this and raise that and that was him all over. He wanted to help everybody."

In his younger years, Spike could often be found playing football and as he got older he got involved in managing local teams such as Gillford FC.

What never changed was his lifelong support for Liverpool FC.

And, with a keen love of fell walking and golf, he could often be found traversing mountain ranges or making his way around a golf course. 

"He was a big asset to Morton and he was a big asset to the butchery world. I think he was a big asset to how he brought me and my kids up with his ethics and his working," said Jono.

"He was a devout dad and granddad, he loved everybody and I think everybody loved him."

Spike's funeral will be held at Carlisle Crematorium on Tuesday October 8 at 3pm. The cortège will be at Ogilvie’s Butchers around 2.30pm.

Family flowers only, donations in memory of Spike can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.