A FORMER Lancashire Telegraph production manager has died, aged 72.

Bob Gordon, described as a ‘newspaper man through and through’, worked at the Lancashire Telegraph from 1980 to 1994.

He was responsible for bringing the printing of The Sun and the Sunday Sport to Blackburn, bringing in significant revenue for the newspaper.

Mr Gordon, of Church Close, Waddington, died at Royal Blackburn Hospital on Sunday after a short illness.

He leaves behind his wife, Anne, 71, and sons Andrew, 46, and Matthew, 43.

Mrs Gordon said: “In 2002, he was given 12 hours to live after problems with his kidneys, so we are grateful we got an extra 10 years.”

Mr Gordon was a devout Christian, and attended All Hallows Church in Mitton.

Mrs Gordon said: “The kids at the church called him the ‘sweety man’, as he always had sweets in his pocket for them.

“He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was a very caring husband and was warm, kind and cuddly.”

Son Andrew said: “He was very keen on sport, particularly rugby.

“One of the last things he said to me in hospital was, ‘turn this rubbish off and get the rugby on’, while the Six Nations was on TV.”

Former Lancashire Telegraph editor Peter Butterfield worked with Mr Gordon for many years.

He said: “He was a lovely man. Very larger than life.

“He was production manager before I started as editor and left before I did.

“Often those positions can lead to friction, but Bob and I got on like a house on fire.

“The Telegraph printed The Sun for some years and Bob brought in that contract.

“The presses were working all day printing the Telegraph, then at night printing The Sun, so it was very lucrative and helped the finances of the paper.”

Mr Gordon will be cremated at Skipton Crematorium on Tuesday, at 10.20am, followed by a service at All Hallows Church.