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Former weekly editor dies from rare illness aged 75

A former weekly newspaper editor who went on to become a sub-editor for a regional daily has died from a rare degenerative illness at the age of 75.

Former Glenrothes Gazette editor Jimmy Ross began his career as a reporter for the Leven Mail after leaving school and went on to be the Fife correspondent for the Scottish Daily Mail for many years until being made redundant.

He then went to work for the Gazette as its chief reporter and rose to become its editor, before becoming a sub-editor at the Edinburgh Evening News.

Tributes have been paid to Jimmy after he died last month after suffering from multiple system atrophy in recent years.

Jack Sneddon, who worked with Jimmy at the Gazette and later edited the title, said: “Jimmy made the Gazette a great newspaper and nurtured so many great reporters.”

Jimmy was editor of the Gazette for many years during the 1970s and 80s and then went on to work as a sub-editor in the special features department of the Evening News, where he remained until his retirement.

Since becoming ill, he has been cared for by his family including his wife Rita, who is also a former journalist.

She said: “Myself and all the family are grateful for the support provided by the Multiple System Atrophy Trust and hope that awareness can be raised of this illness.”