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Sub-editor who spent 50 years in regional press dies at 69

A sub-editor who spent 50 years in the regional press has died aged 69.

Tributes have been paid to Terry Cotgrove, who worked at Essex daily The Echo from its launch in 1969 until his retirement in April 2012.

The Leigh-on-Sea native’s career had begun at the Southend Standard in 1962 as a boy apprentice aged 15,

Described as “the man behind the headlines in Southend and Basildon”, Terry was well known across his patch.

Terry outside Standard House, Southend, where he began his career aged 15

Terry outside Standard House, Southend, where he began his career aged 15

His wife Sandra said: “He never gave up. He was always jolly. He always put on a brave face and was always positive, Event to the last day he was planning a trip out on his boat.

“He loved his work and was passionate about his family. We would go hiking and mountain climbing, hill climbing and had many caravanning holidays. He loved his garden too.”

Terry had battled cancer, and passed away on Monday 8 August.

Sandra, 66, who married Terry 19 years ago, said: “He loved life and just wanted to live as long as he could. He was always thinking of the future and looking ahead.

“We didn’t quite make it to our 20th wedding anniversary.”

Terry also leaves behind son Mark, 28, Zara, 24, from a previous marriage and stepchildren, Sandra’s son and daughter, Thomas, 45, and Petra, 42, along with step grandchildren Laura, 15, and Marco, 10.

His funeral will be held at 12pm on Monday at Southend Crematorium.