HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a former newspaper editor, school governor and Rotarian.

Peter Owen, 88, died after a battle with pneumonia, heart problems and kidney failure.

Mr Owen, from Billericay, was governor at The Billericay School and deputy editor of the Echo as well as a member of the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, as well as a keen gardener.

His wife Sylvia Owen, 85, said: “I was with him when he died as was one of our daughters and he died peacefully.

“We miss him very much and the family is coping. There’s been someone with me all the time.

“He was with the club for 31 years, he was also chair of governors at the Billericay School from 1993 until 1998 and was a governor until he died.

“He also worked at the Echo from 1972 and was made deputy editor in 1980 and he retired in 1993.

“We also both worked at the Thurrock Gazette which is where we met and we then married in 1956. He also loved watching the cricket and we used to go the speedway when we were courting too. Family was very important to Peter and he was always very interested in what the family was doing and he would help the children with their university dissertations.”

Mrs Owen thanked the community for their kind words, with countless people coming forward to send the family their best-wishes.

His daughter Sue Moore, 61, also paid tribute to her father.

She said: “It’s still such a shock. We have so many fabulous memories of dad. He loved travelling and going on holiday and we have lots of memories of our holidays away.

“He was very hard working and was always there for us and as children we would always look forward to him coming home. He was a lovely father.”

Mr Owen leaves behind four children and ten grandchildren.