Generous, mischievous with a wonderful sense of humour and a good friend – affectionate tributes have been paid to a former Watford advertising manager who died on Saturday, aged 50.

As one of his former colleagues Laura Edwards said, when Jamie Gilmore walked in the office the fun started and his laugh was infectious.

Jamie, who was known to many as Jami, was group display manager for the Watford Observer’s parent company Newsquest from August 1998 until February 2004.

He moved to Scotland in 2009 and lived in Crawford. The cause of Jamie’s death is not yet known, but his sister Sam said he was found sleeping peacefully on the sofa at home.

Friends and former colleagues Alan Penfold and Clive Theis paid this joint tribute: “Jamie Gilmore. One of the best managers we had the pleasure of working with. Jamie had this knack of being a very talented, positive, motivating manager and at the same time, what a laugh.

“We think back to the whole team at the Watford Observer, and how much fun we had - Jamie was a huge reason for that.

“As someone else said, you left Jamie laughing. Everytime. With a smile on your face. Respected by all his colleagues.

“RIP GILLY as we knew him anyway. You may be gone mate, but you’ll never be forgotten.”

Employed as a sales representative in Scotland, Jamie attended Barantyne School in Northolt, Middlesex, and then Gilbert Inglefield Middle School and Vandyke Upper School, both in Leighton Buzzard.

A big Watford FC fan from the age of five, Jamie’s hobbies also included climbing and outdoor photography. Two examples of some of the wonderful landscape and wildlife pictures he had taken since moving to Scotland and that were enjoyed by so many people via social media can be seen on this page.

Hillingdon Times:

Jamie's photo of Copach boat wreck in the shadow of Ben Nevis

Another former colleague Linda Geddes said: “My first memory of Jami was hearing him screeching into the Watford Observer car park on two wheels in his company car. I had just been appointed fleet manager and had to tell him off. His recent photos were incredible and I will sorely miss seeing them.”

Heidi Wakelin remembers anything episode involving cars, this time selling advertising for them.

She said: “I worked with Jamie over 20 years ago at the old Watford office in Rickmansworth Road.

“I was working on motors at the time and he was my boss, there was never a dull moment and he was always playing pranks on people.

“One day an agency in Mansfield threatened to pull their business unless they could negotiate better rates.

“They controlled a lot of motor dealers, Jamie said not a problem we will drive up and see them.

“An appointment was booked and a day trip up the M1 was certainly one I won’t forget.

“Needless to say we retained the business and did not even have to lower our rates.”

Hillingdon Times:

This picture of a Kingfisher won Jamie a newcomer award in a photographic competition

Laura, a former regional sales manager for the company, wrote: “Jami Gilmore was one of my managers for many years on the Hertfordshire regional titles.

“When Jami walked into the office the fun started and his laugh was infectious. He was such a genuine nice guy with a soft centre. RIP my ‘Banter Buddy’

Those sentiments were echoed by Bernise Tasker, Mandy Williams also fondly recalled “the banter king of the Watford Observer”, while Helen Chenery said: “Remembering a lovely, generous and caring 'gentleman ' who made work a pleasure with his mischievous and humorous ways and who ultimately became a good, supportive friend over the last 22 years.

“You will be sadly missed 'Gilly '. Until we meet again...”

Martin Beaumont was playing online scrabble with Jamie until a couple of months ago. He said: “We never did get around to tallying the scores after several years of matches. I’ll call it a draw. But you won’t of course. You’d say you won. You wanted to win at everything and invariably you did.

“A fantastic colleague at the Watford Observer, a brilliant salesman and everyone’s first pick to line up next to them in the trenches. You lit up rooms with your quick wit and happy go lucky attitude.

“But for me your very best attribute was that you wanted to make sure everyone was happy. You were an organiser and despite being at the heart of the room, the heart of the project, the heart of the fun, you always had one eye on those on the periphery and you made sure they were included, that they had their say and that they too were having fun.”

Jamie is survived by sister Sam and mum Elaine.