Paul McCartney took to social media to pay respects to his brother-in-law John Eastman, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday at age 83.
The pair were linked both personally and professionally, as Eastman was not only the brother of McCartney’s late wife Linda Eastman McCartney, but also the former Beatles singer’s longtime lawyer.
The musician shared the heartfelt tribute on Instagram, honoring Eastman’s role in his career and noting he was a “hard to beat” friend.
“His sense of humour always shone through in everything he did and his devotion to his family was supreme,” McCartney wrote.
Eastman had been by McCartney’s side for over 50 years, repping the artist during the Beatles’ notorious breakup, a time when the lawyer says he had to put his “entire reputation – which was zero – on the line”, according to a biography on Eastman from New York University.
Despite the death of the star’s first wife, the two men obviously remained close as family, and the 80-year-old musician’s admiration for his late friend was clear through his words:
“There is so much more that can be said of his incredible qualities, but words can hardly describe his passion for life and our affection for this amazing man,” McCartney wrote.
“He will be sorely missed but always held dear in the hearts of those of us who knew and loved him.”
John Eastman is survived by his wife Jodie Eastman. Patrick McMullan via Getty Image
