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‘Brave’ sports reporter loses cancer battle aged 31

Colleagues at a West Country weekly have paid tribute to a ‘brave’ young sports reporter who lost his battle with cancer this week.

Howard Milton, left, a sports reporter with the Somerset-based Western Gazette for seven years, died on Tuesday aged 31.

The passionate sports fan, who has been diagnosed with cancer last October after an operation to remove a tumour, passed away at St Margaret’s Hospice, Yeovil.

His editor Lynne Fernquest said: “He must have been very frightened of what lay ahead, but, like all brave men and women, he refused to buckle under that pressure and his dignity and determination remained intact.”

Howard, whose sporting passions included grassroots football, cricket, rugby and horse racing, joined the Western Gazette editorial team in April 2004 having attained a degree in journalism at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design.

Originally from Guildford in Surrey, he was the paper’s Dorchester Town reporter and a regular contact for scores of players, managers and officials in many sports.

Close friend Amanda Beard, the Western Gazette’s head of circulation, said: “We shared a love of sport, especially football and an interest in music.

“Howard was always suggesting I listen to some obscure band and we were regulars at the Glastonbury Festival.

“He had a wonderful sharp, dry sense of humour. While he wasn’t someone who dashed around the office at high speed, his humour was very quick.

“He was the bravest man I have ever met. He fought until he was unable to fight any longer, but he could stand tall and hold his head high up until the end. He was brave and very dignified.”

Former colleague and close friend Alison Butts said: “Howard was the life and soul of every social occasion thanks to his sense of humour and wonderful weirdness. He was everything you could ever wish for in a best friend.”

Another former colleague Tom Bevan added: “Howard was an inspiration to all who witnessed his incredibly brave fight against this horrible illness.

“He knew the true meaning of friendship and was someone you could wholly trust and rely on. There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.”

He leaves father Nigel, uncle Laurence and grandmother Dorothy Elizabeth. A host of tributes have been posted on Howard’s Facebook site, remembering his humour and colourful taste in shoes.

5 comments

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  • May 26, 2011 at 11:50 am
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    Never a truer word spoken. Miss you already Howard. Rest in peace.

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  • May 26, 2011 at 12:15 pm
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    What a wonderful tribute from his friends and colleagues.

    RIP.

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  • May 26, 2011 at 12:59 pm
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    I echo Scott’s comments. What a lovely tribute from those who knew him.

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  • May 26, 2011 at 3:15 pm
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    Far too young, but what wonderfully warm tributes.

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  • May 27, 2011 at 9:35 am
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    You read stories like this on here all too often but you never expect it to be someone you know. Howard, you were so strong and determined to the end and your friendship and brilliant personality will never be forgotten.

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