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Weekly’s former proofreader dies aged 84

John HarveyA weekly newspaper’s former proofreader has died aged 84.

Tributes have been paid to John Maitland Harvey, pictured left, who was employed by the North Devon Journal following his retirement from running a fish and chip shop.

Cornwall native John was also a renowned chorister, whose family claim could have pursued a professional music career.

He spent more than 10 years working for the Journal.

Joel Cooper, head of content, said: “John was a friendly and affable guy to work with, there are only good things to say about him.

“He was passionate about music, loved a drink at his local pub in Barnstaple and was an extremely good proofreader.

“Over the years he worked here many reporters, subs and editors sought his literary and grammatical advice, and he will be missed by all who knew him.”

John’s childhood was spent in the St Austell area of Cornwall, before his family moved to Ilfracombe, Devon.

Stepdaughter Sherri Fruincorr told the Journal: “He would often tell my sister and I stories about the war years and American base, where he would get gum from the soldiers billeted there.

“He undertook his national service and later returned to Cornwall where he married and had two boys, Timothy Mark and David.

“He met my mum, and they married in 1976.”

John’s funeral was held at the North Devon Crematorium, in Barnstaple, on Friday.

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