John Hayes, a stalwart of the Financial Times’ sub-editing desk, has died at the age of 68 after a short battle with cancer.
Suzanne Blumsom of the FT writes, “A senior FT editor said that he was a consummate professional who had ‘saved me many, many times in spotting errors and fixing errant copy. A model editor.’ Another colleague added: ‘John was a proper old-school sub who could spot an error a mile off, and always with a smile and a laugh.’
“Hayes was a popular FT character, modest, wry and principled. He was passionate about politics, his family and his dog: he would often bring into the office balls his hound had found to proffer to fellow dog-owners.
“He always spoke about his wife Pat and children George and Clara with great pride and love. Once asked what the secret to a happy marriage was, he said: ‘Marry someone generous-hearted.’
“Hayes was excellent company, with biting yet self-deprecating wit, who was willing to tell a good story against himself. He also had wicked nicknames for many colleagues. But underlying that acerbic tongue was a quiet sentimentality and great kindness.”
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