Tributes to ‘consummate newsman’ Kevin
Tributes to ‘consummate newsman’ Kevin
A newspaper editor who started his career in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has died after a short illness. Father of two, Kevin Booth, 64, from Waterfall, passed away in hospital on May 1.
A newspaper editor who started his career in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has died after a short illness.
Father of two, Kevin Booth, 64, from Waterfall, passed away in hospital on May 1.
Kevin grew up and started his career in the Moorlands, moving to Waterfall with wife, Trish, more than a decade ago.
Described by colleagues as ‘a consummate newsman,’ Kevin took his first steps into journalism at the Cheadle & Tean Times in the 1974 before moving on to the Leek Post & Times.
He joined The Sentinel news team in 1980 and went on to the Birmingham Evening Mail before returning to Stoke as chief reporter in 1989, where he went on to the role of deputy sports editor.
Kevin was appointed deputy news editor at Derby Evening Telegraph in 1992 ahead of a move to the Bristol Evening Post in 1997 where he became deputy editor.
Kevin’s first editorship was at Peterborough in 2000. Three years later, he became editor of The Press in York, where he remained for five years until a restructuring operation in 2008.
A return to Stoke saw Kevin become deputy head of a West Midlands production hub based at the Sentinel, before he took up the editorship at the Burton Mail in 2009.
His final role as editor would be at the Leicester Mercury, which was named Regional Newspaper of the Year 2015 under his leadership.
Kevin left the world of newspapers to launch his own company, BoothMedia in 2016.
Colleagues and friends paid tribute to Kevin at holdthefrontpage.co.uk, including his former deputy at Staffordshire Newspapers, Emma Turton, who described him as “a top editor, a brilliant mentor, a fabulous newsman, a thoroughly good all-round bloke and a really good friend.”
Friends in and around Waterfall took to Facebook to pay their respects to a man who not only had an influence on regional news for more than 40 years, but who proved to be an important part of the rural community where he lived with his wife.
He was involved in several community organisations including the Waterfall and Winkhill players, who performed a pantomime penned by Kevin last year.
On a village Facebook page, Karen Rushton, said: “Kev will stay in our hearts forever: a wonderful thoughtful kind hearted man who gave so much to our community. So many fond memories including your gift of ‘Wendy Waterfall and the Christmas Island Caper.’ Thank you: you enriched our lives and it has been a blessing to know you. RIP Kev.
“Sincere and many condolences to Trish and family.
“There’s a new star shining the night sky.”
Penny Ward added: “Rest in peace Kev. You’ve left a big hole in the hearts of so many. A true gent, a great friend and a community champ. Thank you for all you have been, and for bringing us all so much joy. God bless. Heartfelt sympathy to Trish and family.”
ADD A COMMENT
timesecholife -
