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Former regional daily deputy editor dies aged 54

A former regional daily deputy editor who helped pioneer his paper’s move into the digital world has died from a heart attack at the age of 54.

Simon Crane was deputy editor of the Leicester Mercury in the mid-1990s and also held a senior digital role with Trinity Mirror.

He later joined Leicester College as a media lecturer, mentoring young journalists as well as leading the college’s creative media courses.

Simon, pictured left, died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Aylestone, Leicester, last Friday.

Tributes were led by the paper’s long-serving former editor Nick Carter who oversaw Simon’s swift rise through the Mercury’s editorial ranks.

Having joined the paper as a reporter, he became successively features editor, assistant editor and deputy editor before moving the role of new media editor in 1998.

Nick, editor of the Mercury from 1993 to 2009, said: “This is so sad. Simon Crane was an outstanding journalist whose talents extended outside newspapers into music and teaching.

“I was lucky to have him as a very able deputy editor of the Leicester Mercury at a time when the newspaper was reaching out to readers and their communities. Simon was a great champion of that work and had a real feel for what mattered.

“He was an enthusiastic mentor of young journalists and more recently inspired students at Leicester College as a course leader in creative media.

“I will miss him as a colleague and as a friend.”

Nick credited Simon with having pioneered the Mercury’s early moves into the digital world after becoming its first new media editor.

He eventually left the paper to join Trinity Mirror, first as regional director of digital newspapers, and then as assistant managing director.

After being made redundant around 2000, he started work at Leicester College’s St Margaret’s campus as a media lecturer.

Paul Kinsley, the college’s manager for creative arts and media, said: “Simon was a dedicated, passionate and committed media lecturer, who put his learners first. He will be missed by all who knew him.”

Outside of work, Simon was a key figure in Leicester’s music scene, and played in The Hunters Club, one of the Grebo bands of the era alongside Crazyhead and Gaye Bykers On Acid.

Simon played guitar and co-wrote many of the band’s songs, but left in 1988 to pursue his journalistic career.

However the original line-up of the band reformed and played a Leicester venue in 2008 and continued to get together and rehearse regularly.

Simon leaves a son Tom, daughter Emma, his mum, Barbara, and sisters Louise and Rachel.

10 comments

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  • July 11, 2014 at 7:58 am
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    I worked alongside Simon at the Mercury back in the early ’90s – and he was a gifted, intelligent journalist, always very popular with his colleagues.
    My heart goes out to his family and children – I know he thought the world of them.
    Rest in peace Simon – you left us far too soon,
    Red Williams

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  • July 11, 2014 at 8:18 am
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    Red’s absolutely right. I worked alongside Simon in the mid 90s when he was deputy editor. A brilliant bloke, and an inspiring guy to work with.

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  • July 11, 2014 at 8:42 am
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    What a shame, way too young, my condolences to his family and friends. Sadly heart attacks are on the increase, truly known as the silent killer. Fit and healthy people are prime candidates, regular blood pressure checks (you can even get inexpensive home testing units) and importantly if you are told to take daily tablets (such as Candasartin) then take them . Many people sadly don’t bother or give up after a few weeks.

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  • July 11, 2014 at 10:47 am
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    To say that I was stunned to read this distressing news is a massive understatement. Simon was not only a gifted journalist but a great, fun-loving bloke as well. We shared many a laugh and a pint together when he was deputy editor and I was assistant editor at the Mercury. Old hands there may recall a scuffle we had in the newsroom that began as a jape and ended up spectacularly with me flat on my back. It certainly brought a startled silence to the normal frenzy.

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  • July 11, 2014 at 12:36 pm
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    Stunned to hear this terribly sad news. I worked with Simon on the Loughborough Echo and the Leicester Mercury. He was talented and had a great sense of humour.
    If remember correctly, he was credited for carrying through the Mercury newsroom a rubbish bin, in which the contents had somehow caught fire!

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  • July 11, 2014 at 1:54 pm
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    What a terrible shock. I can only echo the previous comments – Simon was a highly talented, committed journalist and an utterly decent man. In his time at Trinity Mirror, he did a huge amount to blaze the trail for digital journalism. A very sad loss.

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  • July 11, 2014 at 2:38 pm
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    I don’t have lots of funny stories of him, because I didn’t get enough time, but he was honestly an inspiration. He taught my writing class at Leicester College and I’m still sort of hoping this is a really sick joke, but I don’t think it is. He was the reason I wanted to go back for the second year, and he told me so many funny things and gave me so much advice that I did and do find invaluable. This is painful to write. I miss him already. I won’t forget him, and if I ever get anywhere in my life, I won’t forget him then either. Peace out Simon, you were the best thing about that College by far and I was privileged to have met you.

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  • July 11, 2014 at 5:54 pm
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    Dreadful news.Simon was a key player during his Leicester Mercury days and was responsible for introducing and managing the centres very successful digital strategy.Always sought after for his visionary approach,he was a very popular member of a talented team.He will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him,worked with him,and enjoyed good fun times with him.
    As the other comments say…….A top man.

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  • July 12, 2014 at 10:45 am
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    Shocking news. From the Merc team of the 1990s Simon now joins Chris Finn, Jim McPheator, Paul Murphy and Hugh Berlyn, who have all left us far too soon. Simon was a talented man with a great sense of humour. Paul Webb recalls that he enjoyed a pint and a laugh but I particularly remember his liking for curry and knowing the best places to eat in Leicester.

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  • July 16, 2014 at 3:56 pm
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    Shocking news. I shared a house with Simon way back when in Darlington when we just starting out in the world of journalism. We both shared a love of music and got on like a house on fire. Taken from us far too young. My heartfelt thoughts go to his family. RIP

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