News production manager Paul 'Suggy' Southall dies aged 65

Paul Southall, who lived in Belbroughton Road, Norton, oversaw the production of the Stourbridge and Halesowen & Dudley News, along with Worcestershire titles – the Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Advertiser and Redditch Advertiser - when the newspapers were based at St John’s House in Stourbridge.

Paul, or Suggy as he was fondly known, worked in the pre-press department for the newspaper company for 41 years, having started out as a teenaged apprentice in 1975, working his way up to become the production manager.

Paul Southall, third from left, pictured in his younger days with friends (Image: Handout)

In later years, as cutbacks hit the newspaper industry, he oversaw the print production operation singlehandedly from the Stourbridge office before redundancy struck in late 2016.

Pete Wallace, print audience and content editor at Newsquest which produces the Stourbridge News, said: “Suggy was a true ‘old school’ newspaper man, and an inspiration and mentor to so many people over the years.

“He steered his pre-press print production team through many changes as technology developed, and his adaptability and versatility shone through regardless of the challenges he faced. If a problem raised its head, the response was invariably ‘Suggy will know the answer’. And he always did!

“But much more than that, he was a dear friend to his colleagues, with his wicked sense of humour and supportive nature. He will be truly missed.”

Paul Southall wearing his trademark hat (Image: Handout)

Peter John, former editor and publisher of the Stourbridge News, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of Paul’s premature passing. I had seen him around Stourbridge a few times in the last few weeks, while wearing his trademark hat and permanent smile, so the news came as a great shock.

“Paul was one of those absolutely indispensable but often unsung ‘back room’ members of staff at Stourbridge and later for other papers across the Midlands region of Newsquest.

“His production skills were legendary. Originally a printer, he’d mastered the new skills required because of the technological revolution in newspapers and had become, so often, the ‘late night man’ who saved the day on deadline and worked one of his regular computer miracles to get the papers out when some technical calamity threatened.

“He had to be strict about staff hitting their allotted deadlines, but he was also a really kind and helpful person and as both publisher and editor I relied on him greatly as someone to ensure the highest standards in producing the papers.

“Paul was quiet but had a really infectious laugh and a dry sense of humour. I know he made many friends at work who will be very saddened by his loss.”

Paul Southall, pictured with his daughter Rebecca and son Ben (Image: Handout)

Suggy leaves a son Ben and daughter Rebecca and two young grandchildren Olive, aged one, and five-month-old Violet, as well as his younger brother David, and his partner of 16-years - Sheila Garrington.

Sheila told how his sudden death last Thursday (October 17) hadn’t really sunk in and in an emotional post on Facebook she said she would miss him "all my life".

It had only been five weeks earlier that Suggy had learned he had cancer and tragically it was too late for treatment as the disease had spread rapidly. Just days after discovering his bleak prognosis, he died at home, aged 65.

Paul Southall with his granddaughter Violet (Image: Handout)

Paying tribute, Paul’s daughter Rebecca Southall described him as a “lovely man” who adored his grandchildren.

She said: “Work was his life, but he was a fun dad and he loved his life. He was happy with what he had and grateful. He was very loved.”

A funeral service will be held on Friday November 15 at 11am at Stourbridge Crematorium followed by a wake at The Gig Mill pub, Norton.