A former chief reporter and editor of the Lowestoft Journal - commonly known as 'Genial George' because of his distinctive smile and kind character - has died at the age of 90.
George Smallman was described by his former colleagues as someone with 'rock solid integrity' and who 'made sure every cause had fair and balanced coverage' during his tenure in the editor's chair.
Mr Smallman was born in The German Hospital in Hackney on October 9, 1924 and later moved to East Clapton, where he earnt one penny per bucket of horse manure that he picked up from nearby streets.
Mr Smallman eventually got a job with the Luton News and cycled the nine-mile route to work each day from his new home in Harpenden. He learnt about the codes, ethics and writing style of journalism by standing behind the people who were doing the job and observing.
After progressing with his career and marrying his first wife June in 1950, Mr Smallman applied for a job at The Lowestoft Journal to enhance his credentials after seeing it advertised.
He bought a house in Long Road with his wife June and worked as a chief reporter under editor Cecil Arger. Mr Smallman then succeeded Mr Arger when he retired after 30 years as editor in 1978.
Mr Smallman edited the paper until 1985, when he was succeeded by Barry Hartley. He retired from journalism aged 64 and had two sons - Nicholas and Lawrence - while in Lowestoft.
In his time as editor, Mr Smallman worked closely with other newspapers, particularly The Halesworth Times and Southwold Mercury and its editor Gerard Montague, as their areas overlapped.
Mr Smallman became friends with Mr Montague's daughter Claire, who was a respected publisher and author. They married in 1996 after Mr Smallman's first wife died.
Mrs Smallman revealed how he was known as 'Genial George', adding: 'They all called him that and that was how he was always known. He just smiled at everyone and it was his manner as well.
'He liked the garden and used to potter around out there. He also made windmills and did woodwork and I encouraged him to do it.'
Mr Smallman died at the James Paget Hospital on June 5 after an illness. The family-only funeral will take place on Thursday, June 25 but friends are welcome to attend a small gathering afterwards at 12pm at 2 Fulmar Way, Lowestoft.
Do you want to pay tribute to Mr Smallman? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Journal Postbox, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk
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