Much loved runner, quizzer and family man Hamish Cameron has been described by his wife Edna as "one off" after his death on June 6.

Hamish was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and died surrounded by his family aged 72.

He leaves behind wife Edna and children Mairi, Niall and Isla. He was a father-in-law to Ross and proud grandfather to Struan, Moray and Innes, as well as a dear brother of Dennis, Lorna and the late Ewan.

Hamish grew up at Ryhnagarrie in Knockando, and moved to Easter New Forres, just outside of Forres aged 11. He went to Carron School, where there was one teacher and about 30 pupils. Edna says the strong educational approach of "keep your head down and get on with it" served Hamish well in later years.

Hamish attended Forres Academy and it was there he found his fascination for running with the Forres Harriers.

From school, Hamish studied maths in Aberdeen before moving to work with British Steel in Glasgow. There he met Edna, with whom he would get married in 1975 and have three children.

In 1981, Hamish moved back up north to his beloved Moray and joined the team at Johnstons of Elgin as a computer manager. Hamish rejoined the Forres Harriers and was club secretary for 30 years, and also played bridge at the Moray Bridge Club with his wife for 37 years. He retired in 2007, but never stopped running or quizzing.

Hamish was on the Northern Scot's front page just a matter of weeks ago after reaching the Mastermind final, and that is how so many know him around town. Whether it was a local pub quiz or the Chase, he simply loved learning about the world.

That fascination started almost by accident, his wife said, in 1990 when he applied to go on Mastermind for the first time, when it was hosted by Magnus Magnusson.

Hamish's funeral took place at the Rafford Church on Friday, June 14, just hours before he appeared on the Mastermind final on BBC2, which had been recorded in November. Hamish came fourth in the final, and the show was dedicated by the BBC to the man they described as "a true Mastermind". Hamish has the most appearances on the show since its inception, with seven since 1990 – including two finals.

His family gathered round the television to watch the final – which Hamish had insisted go on air, whether he was there to see it or not.

Most important to Hamish was family and friends. His wife Edna described the funeral as "moving" and thanked everyone for the support and love they have given her and the family since.

She said: "We had some wonderful tributes from around the world. We didn't want it to be sad. We tried to do him proud and hope it was a fitting tribute."

Close friend Colin Youngson of Forres Harriers also had kind words to say about Hamish, who he met at University. He added: "Hamish remained calm, clever and usually a man of few words, who raced and trained as hard as possible – he loved running. I could only marvel at Hamish’s impressive expertise and quick responses in Mastermind.

"He did a lot to help others and achieved a great deal during his life, which has been cut cruelly short."