Tributes have been paid to a ‘magnificent’ assistant editor who died suddenly at the age of 52.

Sarosh Daruvala, an assistant editor at the Hertfordshire Mercury who was formerly its deputy editor, was found dead in bed by his wife at their home on Monday.

He started out in journalism around 30 years ago, spending 28 of these at Herts and Essex Newspapers, part of the Iliffe News and Media group.

Sarosh spent time as deputy editor and sports editor of the Herts and Essex Observer and the paper’s editor Paul Winspear, who knew him for 27 years, has paid tribute to him.

He said: “This tragic news has stunned and devastated generations of journalists who not only respected Sarosh for his journalistic talent, knowledge and ability but who came to love him for his kindness, generous spirit and caring nature.

“We have lost a magnificent man and are deeply saddened.”

Sarosh, who was passionate about cycling, grew up in north London and he held a number of jobs until he was given his first journalism role on the Herts Advertiser.

He moved to the Herts and Essex Observer in 1982, working on the sports desk.

Former Observer sports editor Mike Rowbottom said: “As a reporter, Sarosh was unfailingly diligent and polite and he brought all the liveliness of his character into his writing.

“He was someone who could get on with anyone straightaway, another big asset to him both professionally and personally.

“It’s hard to believe that I will not see his smiling face again. He was a truly kind soul who will be much missed.”

Sarosh, who was known to workmates as Slosh, moved on to the news production desk at the Observer, eventually becoming deputy editor, and in 1992 was appointed deputy editor of the Mercury in Hertford.

His colleagues said he remained a valued and much-respected member of the team until his death, despite the onset of arthritis and other health problems.

Former Mercury news editor Abigayle Barber said: “Slosh was one of the cheeriest and cheekiest people I’ve ever known – always there with a cup of tea, a Jaffa cake and a sympathetic ear when you needed one.

“He was a ray of sunshine on the coldest of days and the world is a darker place without him in it.”

Sarosh married his wife Jan in 1987, later adopting her two sons, James and Stefan, and the couple were looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild later this month.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Comments

Paul Brookman (10/08/2010 13:09:26)
I’m shocked by the news that Sarosh is no longer with us. I worked with him for three years in the early 1990s and a nicer, friendlier person you couldn’t hope to meet. My condolences to his widow and sons.