Tributes to former editor Gordon, 72

Gordon Sampson at his desk in the Evening Courier office on the day of his retirement

Gordon Sampson, 72, of Rastrick, a former Rastrick High School student, joined the Brighouse Echo in 1959 and spent nearly half a century working for the Halifax Courier Group.

During his time at the paper, he dealt with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, various sporting personalities and Royalty. He also covered speedway and rugby league during his time at the Halifax Courier Group.

Gordon retired in September 2007. He was a volunteer at the RSPCA, played bowls for three clubs in Brighouse and enjoyed walking his dog Rosie.

He leaves wife Viv, daughters Karina and Natasha to his first wife, two step daughters Jane and Karen, and five grandchildren Ellie, Erin, Natalie, Jack and Joe.

Natasha said: “He worked in news his whole life and was passionate about it, even when he retired. Through his work he knew so many people in Brighouse.”

John Kenealy, Editor of the Courier Group, said: “Gordon was a well respected and popular member of the Courier team for many years.

“He will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and many other people around Calderdale.”

Former Echo Editor Stephen Firth worked with Gordon during two lengthy spells at the Brighouse Echo.

He described Gordon as a good, old-fashioned journalist in the very best sense.

“He knew a good story, the kind that was important to the Echo and to the town, but he instinctively knew how to treat that story - with care and affection when dealing with a bereaved family, with tenacity and vigour when confronted with, what we call round here, “a wrong ‘un”.

“When Gordon got his teeth into a meaty story he didn’t let go until he saw the results of his labours in print.

“He was proud of his craft, proud of his town and he loved sharing its high days and holidays, its setbacks and down days, with his army of loyal readers,” Stephen said.

The funeral will be held on Friday, October 24, at 9.45am at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland. The family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to the Acute Stroke Unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital.