Every year we pay tribute to those no longer with us who dedicated a significant part of their careers to regional journalism. Among those to have passed away over the past 12 months were several industry veterans of the 70s, 80s and 90s – along with some whom we lost well before their time.
Here, as part of our series looking back on this year, we feature a selection of obituaries that have appeared on HTFP in 2023, along with some of the tributes paid by friends and colleagues. Click on the names to read our original obituaries.
Trevor Bartlett: Legendary’ press photographer killed in collision
Editor demanded answers from local police chief after death
Ron Eyley: ‘Larger than life’ former journalism teacher
Trainer taught hundreds of journalists after launching first NCTJ-accredited course
Lloyd Jeffries: Former weekly editor who almost made it to 100
Newsman edited title for 34 years
Neil Billingham: Passionate advocate for mental health
Journalist found dead in river aged 51 after going missing
Philip Craig: Editor known for ‘professionalism and eccentricity’
“One of life’s excellent networkers”
Rod Hopkinson: ‘Brilliant’ crime reporter who covered Ripper case
Journalist “lived and breathed” his work
John Pearn: Editor who made weekly among UK’s best-sellers
News chief edited two weeklies
Tom Duncan: Founding editor who left journalism for priesthood
News chief ran title for three decades
John Yates: Former editor who worked up to his last week
Journalist had 64-year career in industry
Jon Smith: Daily chief sub who trained hundreds of journalists
Tributes paid to “innovative, all-round genius”
Deborah Punshon: Reporter who served investigations unit
Tributes to “talented journalist and wonderful colleague”
Douglas Carr: Editor who ran ‘Scoop Inns’ pub business
News chief had two spells in charge of weekly
Ron Nicholas: Editor who was an ‘institution’ on his patch
News chief was known for ability to ‘frighten’ councillors
Richard Montgomery: Editor who spent 54 years with weekly
Tributes to “giant within the newspaper industry”
Dean Powell: Former editor who died just weeks after wedding
Journalist also worked as motivational speaker
Katrina Taylor: Journalist who started out on Facebook scheme
Reporter “could have gone as far as she wanted in journalism”
Chris Alder: Editor who ran weekly for seven years
Journalist also held senior PR roles during career
Brian Barratt: ‘Inspirational’ former weekly editor
‘On a quiet news day he could always generate a story’
Gareth Purcell: Editor who ran weekly for 37 years
News chief “really understood what local newspapers are about”
Dan Kay: Regional daily’s ‘digital pioneer’
Campaigner also fought for justice for disaster victims
Phil Loach: Chief photographer who spent 45 years in regional press
Tributes paid to “remarkable cameraman”
Barry Robinson: Regional journalist who worked ‘until his last day’
Writer covered motorsport for 65 years
Jon Walker: Chief reporter who died weeks after cancer diagnosis
Colleagues paid tribute to “phenomenal journalist”
David Flynn: Editor who led daily to Newspaper of the Year crown
Journalist “loved the newsroom”
Gareth Weekes: Former daily editor who died on ‘trip of a lifetime’
Journalist had “enormous integrity and empathy”
Bernard Ingham: Daily stalwart who was Thatcher’s press secretary
No 10 press chief was “journalist to his bones”
John Motson: Commentator who began career in local press
Football legend died aged 77
John Murdoch: Photographer who served weeklies into his nineties
Lensman had “real passion” for photos
Roy Lilley: Editor involved in daily’s running for 24 years
News chief was in charge when office was bombed by IRA
Paul Thomas: News chief who was friend of the late Queen
Former regional editor died while working for national daily
Alan Benstead: Editor who ran weekly for 24 years
Tributes paid to “local rags legend”
Diana Cooke: Former daily women’s editor who battled leukaemia
Ex-colleagues hailed ‘journalistic force of nature’
Clive Betts: Welsh political reporting legend
Career in newspapers stretched over four decades
Peter Dewhurst: Journalist who ran weeklies’ newsdesk for 25 years
Tributes paid to “very well-known” news editor
Nick Herbert: Regional press ‘kingmaker’ who also edited daily
Tributes paid to industry chief
Ken Thomas: Editor who ran two dailies and served as director
News chief “made a significant impact on the industry”
Shirley Tart: Journalist who served publisher for more than six decades
Former royal correspondent helped to launch regional daily
Don Chambers: Editor who ran rival titles and trained famous names
News chief “loved everything about being in a newsroom”
Steven Wilkie: Daily newspaper’s deputy head of news
Tributes to journalist who “was born to be in a newsroom”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at