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Tributes to journalist who spent 34 years at title

Tributes have been paid to a former journalist who spent 34 years at a regional daily following his death at the age of 65.

Peter Colbeck started working at Staffordshire daily The Sentinel in 1967 as a 20-year-old and remained there until his retirement in 2001, holding the positions of reporter and sub-editor.

He met his future wife Joy at the paper where she worked at the reception and later in the advertising department and they married in 1971.

Peter has died from pneumonia last week following a long illness.

Sentinel health reporter Dave Blackhurst said: “Pete was a very kind and generous man. In an era when sub-editors were often short-tempered and hard-bitten, Pete bucked the trend.

“As a young reporter getting to grips with the hectic life on a busy evening paper, I found Pete always had the time to give me the benefit of his experience. He will be sadly missed.”

Sentinel court reporter Dianne Gibbons said: “Peter was a popular member of staff who was always extremely professional and very easy to get along with.”

His widow Joy said: “I used to work on the reception so I used to see Peter coming in and out when he was a reporter. One of the things that attracted me to him was his great sense of humour. He was always trying to make you laugh.

“He loved his job because it was so diverse and there was such a buzz in the newsroom.

“He was much loved by everyone that knew him and I have been touched by the amount of tributes from Peter’s former colleagues.”

Son Matthew said: “My dad had an amazing knowledge of English and grammar and he was passionate about literature and music.

“He was obviously very busy with his job but he always made time for me and would often take me to play tennis or for walks after work. He was a fantastic father.”

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  • February 7, 2013 at 10:08 am
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    A lovely man,kind,considerate and very well mannered. Respected by all who knew him.

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