A FORMER shipyard boss has paid tribute to a well-respected business journalist.
Murray Easton has written to The Mail after hearing of the death of the paper's former business reporter John Simpson.
Mr Simpson died aged 73 at his home in Melbourne Street last week.
"It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of your colleague John Simpson," Mr Easton wrote.
"During my time working at the shipyard I rapidly came to respect and admire John for his professionalism and integrity. He was always very fair and determined to present a balanced view of issues.
Like all good journalists he was a little mischievous (and I say that in the kindest of ways!) as he tried to find out the story and in doing that so well was, for me, one of his very admirable personal qualities.
"He was a man so easy to like, and one who will be truly missed."
Mr Simpson's funeral will take place on Friday at 1.30pm at St James Church in Barrow.
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