Two Scottish pipers led the hearse carrying the body of artist Roy Mackintosh from St Nicholas’ Church in Thames Ditton past his home in Long Ditton this afternoon (Wednesday).

Neighbours lined Effingham Road to pay their respects to the fine art specialist who died on April 12 at the age of 61.

Roy, who was immensely proud of his Scottish-Norwegian roots, had suffered ill health for many years following a series of strokes in 2007. He spent 101 days in hospital and then began the long and painful road to recovery with the help of Lorna, his wife of 27 years, learning to speak and move after his right arm and leg were paralysed. He finally picked up a paintbrush again in the summer of 2011.

Roy’s striking landscapes and seascapes have found homes around the world.

Life-long friend Penny Ardie said: “Roy was highly intelligent, with a lightning fast brain, photographic memory and 22/24 vision which meant he could see more colours and hues in nature than most people.

“Exceptionally talented with a sketchbook and paintbrush with oils on canvas, over a lifetime he has produced hundreds of landscapes and seascapes most of which have sold and been taken around the world.

“He was never afraid to put across his viewpoint; loving; friendly; generous-hearted; a true gentleman who would do anything for anyone with a great sense of humour and always with a story to tell.

“We have lost Roy far too soon. We will miss his flamboyant cheerfulness and laughter for a long time.”

Funeral director Robert Lodge of Lodge Brothers, who walked beside the hearse from the car park at the church in Thames Ditton to Winters Bridge and then on past Long Ditton recreation ground to Effingham Road, before the cortege continued on to Kingston Crematorium, said: “It was very moving, and a fitting tribute to a lovely gentleman.”