Tributes paid to Tony Shaw - ex-Blackpool Gazette MD and memorable civic leader

Tributes have been paid to a former Blackpool Gazette Managing Director who was also a key figure in the town’s community and civic life.

Blackpool-born Tony Shaw, who died at at Glenroyd Nursing Home on October 24 at the age of 88, spent 35 years at the Gazette, 12 of them as MD, before leaving in 1996.

During his dozen years in that role, he became a well known figure not only within the newspaper complex, but in the wider community.

The ex-Claremont Primary and Blackpool Grammar School pupil started at the newspaper back in 1961 as an assistant accountant, having learnt the ropes as a trainee accountant at the Blackpool Tower Company for five years, and his career then flourished at the publication.

Tony was promoted several times before being appointed as MD of the Gazette in 1984 until 1996.

During his later years with the Gazette, he oversaw the move away from its long-time town centre home on Victoria Street to more modern premises at Preston New Road. The newspaper was to later move on to other premises, at Avroe House and then the Whitehills estate.

In the days of ‘hotel metal’, the printing presses were in the Victoria Street building where almost 300 people were employed.

Tony’s two daughters, Alison and Hilary, recalled his time at the Gazette.

Broke the mould

Alison, 62, said: “Dad was known by all as Tony, a big change from the more formal Grime family who had previously been in charge.

“He was a people person - everyone at the Gazette knew him and he knew them - he’d ask about their mum or their children and was really down to earth,

“He even went to some of their funerals when they passed on - even after he’d left the Gazette. He was a complete one-off - they broke the mould when they made him.

“He once even used our lego to make a visual representation when remodelling one of the offices so that people knew what it would be like.”

Hilary, 60, said: “He had a love for life and people, and we couldn't go anywhere with him in Blackpool without someone stopping him to say hello.”

One former employee, assistant account Paul Turner, remembered: “I have many memories of Tony, one of which seems to have stuck in my mind. Tony was Managing Director of the Gazette at the time.

“Walking down the corridor one day I spotted Tony coming from the opposite direction. I knew he had a presentation to deliver later to the Head Office honchos, evidenced by his carrying a veritable tome of a book braided and decorated by many tassels, from which he had obviously been rehearsing his speech.

“ I said ‘Hi Tony, nice tassels’ to which he instantly replied: "You wanna see what I can do with them!

"Tony was admired and respected by everyone he worked with. To many, he became a close friend. I'm sure I'm not the only one to whom he was a lifelong role model.”

Ex-union representative Mike Ryan said: “So sad to hear about Tony’s passing. He was an old friend and an adversary from when I had to negotiate deals for the NGA (union) when he was the general manager.

“He was a passionate and caring man with a good sense of humour.”

Outside of work Tony, who had joined the Cubs and Scouts as a youngster, became a leader at St Mary's Church and served as the Assistant District Commissioner of Cubs during the 1970s.

He went on to play key roles in other organisations after leaving the Gazette. He set up Blackpool Business Link, acted as Chair of Blackpool Primary Care Trust and later was a Non-Executive Director for the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust.

Tony’s funeral will be at Carleton Crematorium on Friday November 27 at 11.45am.

He leaves two daughters, Alison and Hilary, and five grand children. He was predeceased by first wife Hazel and second wife Christine.

Donations are requested in lieu of Blackpool Scouts or the Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, the official, dedicated NHS charity for the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.