Tributes to York journalist Donald Wilkinson (From York Press)

Tributes to Donald Wilkinson, former deputy editor of the Evening Press, who has died aged 88

8:12am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

A LONG-SERVING and popular former deputy editor of The Press has died at the age of 88.

Don Wilkinson started his career at The Evening Press in 1939 and remained with the company until he retired in April 1988.

Mr Wilkinson spent the whole of his working life with the York & County Press, starting as young trainee reporter. The outbreak of the Second World War saw him serve in the Royal Navy before returning as a sub-editor on the weekly Yorkshire Herald.

His career then took him to the position of chief sub-editor in 1954 before his return to the Evening Press, where he worked his way to the deputy editor’s position at the Coney Street offices.

Press photographer Garry Atkinson, who has been with the paper since 1974, was interviewed for his job by Mr Wilkinson and remembers him as a popular “uncle figure”.

He said: “He was an extremely friendly man – firm but fair. He was genuinely admired by all the staff, which isn’t an easy thing to achieve when you are a man in authority.

“He was always referred to as an avuncular figure.”

Mr Wilkinson’s involvement with The Press continued after his retirement, and an award for staff was set up in his name where top-performing colleagues were awarded a sabbatical to pursue a study project of their choice. He also spent time serving as a member of the parish council in his home village of Westow, near Malton Mr Wilkinson married his late wife, Kate, in 1948 and the couple had two children, Anne and Christopher. However, their son was tragically killed in a road accident at the age of 17.

Remembering her father, Anne Caley, 63, said: “His garden was his main love. Even when he lost his eyesight he still kept going. He also had two grandsons of whom he was very proud.

“He died at home on September 20 after being ill for a short while.”

Mr Wilkinson’s funeral will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, October 2, at St Mary’s Church in Westow.