A former regional daily chief sub-editor who left the industry to teach English as a foreign language has died aged 54 following a series of strokes.
Mike Treacy, left, began his working life at Grimsby fish docks but became a journalist after winning a place on the NCTJ course at Richmond College, Sheffield, in 1985.
He went on to become chief sub-editor of the East Anglian Daily Times and also worked for the Cambridge News and Colchester Gazette before taking up teaching.
Mike suffered a severe stroke in the spring of 2014 and despite initially making a partial recovery, he died at the Sue Ryder Home in Ipswich last month.
After leaving Richmond, his first job was as a trainee reporter on the Wakefield Express before he moved to the Leicester Mercury in 1988.
One of the highlights of his time in Leicester was an interview with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who told him walking on the moon was “kinda lonesome.”
Mike, right, interviews Buzz Aldrin at East Midlands Airport in 1989.
Mike learned his subbing and production skills at the Mercury before moving to the EADT, where he was appointed chief sub and went on to fill a variety of roles in design and on the sports desk.
After leaving the industry in 2009, he continued to pursue his love of travel, teaching English as a foreign language in places such as Spain and Kazakhstan.
Friend and ex-EADT colleague Martin Chambers said: “Mike was a straight-up guy. If he liked you, you stayed liked; ditto if he didn’t. He didn’t sit on fences.”
“He was a great journalist; probably what is now called old-school. He believed in well-written copy in the same way he believed in well-written soul songs.”
Former EADT music editor Tony Shevlin added: “Mike gave off this northern tough-guy image but he was actually a caring, thoughtful and considerate person.
“I shall treasure the many hours we spent together talking about life, football, music and movies. I’m so glad I got to know the real Mike.”
Outside journalism, his big passion was Northern Soul music – he went to the original Wigan Casino “all-nighters” and held his own soul nights in Ipswich, which were well-attended.
Former EADT picture editor Paul Nixon said: “We had a common love for soul music and spent many hours swapping tapes and listening to records.”
College friend and former journalist Hilary Ford, who knew Mike for 30 years, also recalled Mike’s love of film and “wicked sense of humour.”
She added: “To me, more than anything else, he was simply one of my best friends; the guy who introduced me to soul music and The African Queen – and I will miss him.”
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Sad news. I worked with Mike at the EADT for many years. As Martin Chambers says, he was proper old school. Slightly scary at first but a great lad when you got to know him. Loved our curry lunches. Also loved his sudden pop quizzes, as in “Who was number 1 in the charts on this day in such-and-such a year?” followed by a pub singer-style rendition of said song. Top man, top bloke.
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I worked with Mike at the Leicester Merc in the late 80s and early 90s. Mike didn’t say much, he was a man of few words, but you listened when he spoke. I dubbed him Iron Mike after Mike Tyson because he was hard as nails both in our newsroom – and in our weekly 5-a-side free-for-alls! Rest in peace Mike, once met, never forgotten.
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How very sad. I was one of Mike’s Richmond College tutors and remember how pleased he was to get into journalism. We were in touch from time to time and I had a high regard for him and for his work. A lovely chap.
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So sad that Mike was taken from us too young. A lovely man who loved his friends, travel and Northern Soul. I hope he has a cool beer and is listening to the best music wherever he may be now. Great article to Mike, he would have been very proud and humbled.
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Mike also worked at the Coventry Evening Telegraph in the early 90s. As others have suggested, he had a tough exterior that hid an interesting centre. Very sad to hear of his passing.
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I was with Mike for 18 years. Like most couples we had our ups and downs. A genuinely lovely and thoroughly decent man, though. Have to agree with every word of this article .. Simply a lovely tribute, you’re right Mel, he’d be very humbled by it.
Sleep well, Mke … You’ll be missed.
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A good send-off for Mike…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155406727085191&set=gm.10153267261442502&type=1&theater
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Great work.
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