AddThis SmartLayers

Death of two Gazette veterans

Two former Blackpool Gazette veterans, who clocked up almost 100 years service between them, have died.

Herbert Cockell, who joined the paper in 1934 as a publisher’s assistant and helped publish the paper for almost 50 years, died aged 82.

When he retired from the Gazette in 1984 he was publishing manager.

Herbert had been successfully battling cancer for two years, but died of an unrelated illness in hospital on January 3. His funeral was held on Friday.

His son Peter said: “He was a proud man and a wonderful father. After all he had been through, he never had a day off sick. He was one of life’s great fighters.”

Another well-known face who worked at the Gazette for almost 50 years was May Lord, who has died aged 91.

She worked behind the counter at the paper’s Albert Square office dealing with advertising and other commercial matters until her retirement in 1975.

Her late husband George was manager of the paper’s Fleetwood operation for many years – a job his father had done before him. So May’s retirement ended a 125 year link between her family and the paper.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]