Tributes to stalwart Steve
FORMER Ormskirk Advertiser journalist Steve Orme died on February 18 after a short illness.
Steve, 66, took early retirement in 2015 after a long career in the newspaper industry.
He started his career with the Ormskirk Advertiser and, after a short period working at the St Helens Leader, returned to the Liverpool Daily Post and ECHO group.
He worked on several publications as an editor, sub editor and a designer on the weekly and daily titles.
Throughout this time he wrote numerous motoring articles for local and national newspapers and helped to set up the web-based Driving Force which he was still writing for up until his death.
He is remembered as hardworking and dedicated to the job with a quirky sense of humour which helped carry his colleagues through the toughest of deadlines.
Former fellow journalist and friend Jan Nethercote said: “Even on the toughest days at work Steve had the ability to make me laugh.
“The place was never the same after he retired.
“He was a loyal friend as well as a great colleague and I will miss him terribly.”
Close friend and Fleet Street motoring journalist Jon Smith said: “Steve was a highly skilled wordsmith who took a sideways and often hilarious view on the world of motoring as well as being a fine and caring friend.”
And his former boss at the ECHO, Richard Williamson said “Steve was a true champion for local journalism and knew the value of a newspaper to its community.
“His eye for a good story was every bit as sharp as his sense of humour. He brought his unique take to his motoring writing and will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues.”
Outside work, Steve loved walking his dogs, and fishing. He leaves a wife, Lesley, a daughter, Beth and two grandchildren, Sophia and newlyborn Alexander.
The funeral will take place on Monday, March 9 at West Lancashire Crematorium, Burscough, at 2pm.