One of the North-East’s most respected journalists has died.

Tony Crangle, a former production editor at the Sunderland Echo, was 72.

He began his career in journalism in 1944 as a 15s-a-week junior reporter in the Sunderland office of the Newcastle Journal, Evening Chronicle, Weekly Chronicle and Sunday Sun.

After National Service he returned to journalism and joined the Echo in 1954 as shipping specialist.

Within three years he became chief reporter, then news editor in 1965, assistant editor in 1975 and then production editor, taking early retirement in 1988. He was also the paper’s books editor.

The church played a big part in his life: he set up the Northern Cross Catholic newspaper with his father Leo and was well known throughout the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese.

A funeral service will be held in St Benet’s Church, Monkwearmouth, where Tony was a parishioner for many years. The arrangements will be announced later.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here