Each year we remember those no longer with us who dedicated their working lives to regional journalism.
Here, as part of our Review of the Year, we feature a selection of obituaries which have appeared on HTFP over the past 12 months, along with some of the tributes that have been paid to them by friends and colleagues.
John Bills
Former Trinity Mirror and Johnston Press regional managing director who worked for the latter until 2017. He died while playing tennis aged 59.
“John’s personal commitment and determination had a real impact on the people around him.” – David King, chief executive of JPIMedia
Robin Burgess
Last proprietor of the CN Group while it was under family ownership. He died after a cancer battle aged 68.
“He was passionate about making sure the media served its community, always taking a keen interest in everyone he met.” – Jonathan Lee, former managing director of Newsquest Cumbria
Norman Carroll
Peterborough Telegraph and Melton Times editor who died after a 15-month battle with liver cancer aged 78.
“Norman was a lovely man to work with – a very friendly chap and a good boss.” – Former colleague Brian Johnson
Pete Cashmore
Journalist who died four years after achieving childhood ambition to work on hometown daily the Wolverhampton Express & Star. He was 45.
“He was a genius, the most talented writer I ever had the pleasure of sharing (many a) bottle of wine with.” – Former E&S Wolverhampton Wanderers correspondent Tim Spiers
Chris Chandler
Former deputy editor at Brighton daily The Argus, who died aged 69.
“He loved the paper, the paper was his life. In a profession where people come and go a lot he was a rock. He was very fair and always kept his head.” – Argus columnist and one-time chief reporter Adam Trimingham
Graham Cole
Long-serving editor at the KM Group’s former dailies the Evening Post and Kent Today. He died of cancer aged 66.
“He was a well respected editor who always understood what his readers wanted to know. He also encouraged and helped those in the company that had talent and commitment to the team and his newspaper.” – KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson
Charles Curry
New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times owner who went on editing into his 90s. He was 98.
“My father was a great newspaper man and was always determined to print the truth. He was never happier than when fighting authority and standing up for the ordinary person.” – Son Eddie Curry, who took over from him as A&T managing director
Martin Davey
Former East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star news editor, who died aged 47 while out running with his son.
“Not only was he an excellent journalist and news editor, he was simply a lovely bloke. He was always kind and supportive to his colleagues, and a genuine pleasure to work with.” – Brad Jones, editor of the EADT and Star
Ian Davies
Coventry Telegraph deputy print editor who died after a long battle with cancer aged 53.
“His craftsmanship was informed by a full range of political, cultural and societal insight, all supplemented by a prodigious general knowledge, a wonderfully dry wit and a healthy streak of cynicism.” – Former colleague Alan Poole
Ken Griffin
South Wales Argus editor between 1970 and 1987. He died after a cancer battle aged 88.
“He was a thoughtful journalist and in charge of the paper through some difficult times.” – Steve Hoselitz, Ken’s successor at the Argus
Gerry Isaaman
Editor of the Hampstead & Highgate Express between 1968 and 1994. He died aged 85.
“He was a fantastic mentor. When I started, I thought I knew what journalism was and I didn’t. He really did show me what it could mean.” – Matthew Lewin, his successor at the Ham & High
Tim Kitchen
Former Exeter Express & Echo, Derby Telegraph and Bristol Post managing director.
“As an MD, he enabled our journalism and never once interfered with our autonomy. As a friend, he gave us so many great moments.” – Former Telegraph editor Keith Perch
John Lavery
Editor of the Sleaford Standard until 2012. He died suddenly at home aged 67.
“He was always so full of life and nothing was too much trouble for him. He truly was a great man.” – Lincolnshire Free Press editor Jeremy Ransome
Andy Lever
Thurrock Gazette editor who was more recently working on the Thurrock Independent. He was 61.
“Andy was a real character, that’s for sure. He wore cowboy boots, smoked cigars [in the office] and didn’t mind shaking things up with those in authority.” – Current Gazette editor Gary Pearson
Brian Mason
Launch editor of the Telford Journal and former NCTJ director. He died while on holiday in Ukraine aged 79.
“He had an enormous impact on many young journalists, many of his trainees went on to work for national newspapers and media organisations.” – Brian’s daughter Caitlin Bisknell
Malky McCormick
Kilmarnock Standard cartoonist who was friends with comedian Sir Billy Connolly. He was 75.
“The staff [at the Standard] could hardly believe their luck that they had such a prestigious cartoonist contributing a weekly topical cartoon based on an article in that week’s edition.” – An obituary in Glasgow-based daily The Herald
Lyra McKee
Journalist who worked for the Belfast Telegraph. She was shot dead at the age of 29 while observing rioting.
“Lyra was always generous and occasionally would thank me – as she did other journalists – for their support. I’d tell her I admired her writing so much.” – Belfast Telegraph editor Gail Walker
Stuart Nuttall
South Hams Newspapers editor who died aged 61 after a fall in a pub.
“Stuart was a valued and respected leader of the editorial team and a man who had a true passion for journalism, always hunting out the stories and dedicated to standing up for those who needed help the most.” – Stuart’s successor Tim Leigh
Mike O’Connell
Print production editor and former deputy editor at the Huddersfield Daily Examiner. He died from throat cancer aged 55.
“He loved his work even when it became really challenging over recent years and his dedication to the people of Huddersfield always shone through. He was one of the best and a huge loss to journalism.” – Examiner editor Wayne Ankers
Roz Paterson
Former Daily Record journalist who died aged 55 after detailing her cancer battle on a blog.
“Roz’s blog has touched a lot of people. Elegant and frank, threaded through with her signature self-effacing humour, Roz’s posts eloquently told the story of one woman’s battle with cancer.” – Malcolm McDonald, her partner of 27 years
Annie Roycroft
Editor of the County Down Spectator for around three decades. She was 92.
“Annie was Ireland’s first ever female newspaper editor and quite a character. She was a stubborn supporter of journalism and didn’t shy from saying what she thought had to be said.” – Former Spectator journalist Ann-Marie Foster
Jane Simpson
Worked for Aberdeen daily The Press & Journal before going on to a career on newspapers in Glasgow.She was 48.
“Jane was charming, funny and a joy to work with. She was a terrific reporter but with such humility. She would never accept just how good she was.” – Grimsby Live digital editor Jamie Macaskill, who worked with Jane at the Mail on Sunday
Kelly Stooke (Jobanputra)
Journalist who regularly wrote reviews for the Swindon Advertiser. She died aged 40 after being hit by a train.
“We are completely and utterly bereft to lose such a vibrant, attractive, courageous and well-loved family member at such a very young age.” – Kelly’s father John Stooke
Steve Tucker
Worked for the South Wales Echo, Western Mail and Wales Online in roles including local government reporter ad Cardiff City FC reporter. He was 52.
“He wasn’t afraid to say the things that others were thinking – and with it, came a dry and acerbic wit – it was as sharp and funny as I have ever come across.” – Former Echo editor Alastair Milburn
Jim Williams
Oldham Chronicle editor who took a stand against far-right activities on his patch. He died suddenly aged 71.
“Jim was a true professional who left an unparalleled legacy of reports and editorial comment on local life and events in and around Oldham.” – Oldham councillor John Battye
David Wilson
Editor who ran the Surrey Comet and the Banbury Guardian. He was 83.
“[David was] an incredibly energetic and enthusiastic Yorkshireman who stayed in local journalism for most of his working life. Fleet Street’s loss was local newspapers’ gain.” – Former Comet assistant editor Jill James
Paul Woodhouse
Chief sub-editor who worked for Yorkshire Post Newspapers between January 1988 and January 2014. He died aged 61.
“He was one of the nicest people I have ever worked with in more than 40 years in the news – one of the best. Not only was he a lovely man, charming and likeable, he was at the top of his game.” – Former colleague Liz Carnell
Jim Worsdale
Edited both the Swindon Advertiser and his hometown newspaper The Echo, in Essex. He was 86.
“Jim was an editor respected by his large team of around 50 journalists and photographers for his sense of fairness and his ability to connect with his family of readers.” – Peter Owen, Jim’s deputy at The Echo
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