Tributes have been paid to one of Ayr’s greatest characters, who has tragically lost his life aged just 53.
Nino Pajovic, an adopted Scot who hailed from Serbia, was the renowned ‘coffee king’ of Newmarket Street.
He passed away following a brave battle with illness last Saturday, with beloved wife Karen by his side.
Nino, a former maître d’ aboard a six star cruise liner, enjoyed a globetrotting life which took in everywhere from the Caribbean to Troon’s Strawberry Cushion.
But it was during the last decade, in which he and Karen headed up Ayr’s Cafe le Monde, that he left an indelible mark on so many.
A man with a passion for the finest service, Nino’s standards paid heed to his teachings at the world’s leading hospitality college, Lausanne de Ecole, in Switzerland.
Karen revealed: “From the very first time Nino wined and dined me, I was always struck by how much he knew about hospitality.
“He made every single person who walked through the doors of our cafe feel like they were special.
“It is a quality I have rarely seen in a man and made me love him so much more.
“Whether it was working for Seabourn, the six star cruise liner where we met, or serving toasties in our cafe, service was all the same to him.”
Actress Sandra Bullock famously demanded that only Nino serve her while filming on board one of his ships – such was his attention to detail.
And Nino was renowned for taking extra special care of his “regulars,” who became more like family to him.
A former youth footballer for Red Star Belgrade in his homeland, he chatted endlessly with customers about football.
And never far from his hand was the day’s racing cards as Nino combined service with a smile and selecting his day’s horse bets.
He became a weekly fixture in the Ayrshire Post as he provided tips to readers – something of which he was immensely proud.
He and Karen also achieved a long-held dream when buying their own horse, Commandable, which was duly backed by half of Ayr on Nino’s say-so.
Watching the horse run at Ayr, where Nino loved a day out at the track followed by dinner at Western House, remained one of his proudest days.
Traders in Newmarket Street, where Nino was a huge presence, are among those grieving his loss.
Close friend Jim McSherry, who runs the Wee Windaes pub, said: “The community that is Newmarket Street is full of hard-working people who are passionate and take great pride in their business.
“Nino Pajovic typified this and was known to everyone who frequented the street.
“He greeted everyone with a huge hug or handshake and his personality was infectious.
“I spoke to him virtually every day since he and Karen moved here in 2010 and he would do anything for anybody.”
Former Scotland boss, Craig Brown, was a regular customer of Nino’s and recalls fond memories of the pair’s footballing banter.
He said: “Nino was a lovely guy, mannerly and had a great sense of humour.
“He always looked the part in the cafe with his apron and everything was immaculate and clean.
“I remember going over to Serbia for a European coaches’ course and he asked me to bring a Serbian flag back for him.
“Goran Petric, formerly of Rangers, was on the course so I asked him if he could get me a flag for my friend Nino Pajovic in Ayr and Goran said...I remember a Nino Pajovic who played in the youths at Red Star Belgrade – and it turned out it really was Nino!
“Goran duly brought me the biggest flag I’d ever seen.”
Craig’s good pal and fellow Scottish football legend, Archie Knox, was another whose coffee cup was always kept full by Nino.
He said: “I got to know Nino really well through our Wednesday morning sessions with Craig, Willie McLean, Jim McSherry, Robert Reilly and the other boys.
“He was a great host and we loved his chat. We will all miss him and our thoughts are with Karen.”
Iain Ferguson, PR boss at Ayr Racecourse, was a sparring partner of Nino’s with the duo constantly jousting for the record of top tipster in the town.
Fergie said: “Nino’s sheer enthusiasm for life was humbling.
“Walking down Newmarket Street I could be sure he would spot me and come out of the cafe to engulf me in one of his famous hugs.
“Nino was a gentleman and he enjoyed nothing better than to rub my nose in it when he backed a winner.
"I’ll never forget one Saturday afternoon sitting in the Wee Windaes and spying him running past with an imaginary whip in his hand riding a finish.
“One of the regulars asked ‘what was that all about?’ To which I replied ‘he’s just ridden a 10/1 winner at Thirsk.”
“When Nino and Karen's horse Commandable ran for the first time, it only just got beaten by half a length at Southwell.
"It was a bleak January afternoon seven and a half years ago but the bookies round the corner from Newmarket Street was mobbed with punters cheering on Nino’s horse.
“My thoughts are with Karen who has lost a husband and best friend.”
Nino’s funeral is on Wednesday at Masonhill Crematorium at 4.15pm with mourners encouraged to wear colourful clothing to celebrate his life.
His cortege will travel down Newmarket Street beforehand at around 3.30pm.
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