Former Harrow Times editor Charlie Harris has died following a short illness.
He was also president of the Chartered Institute of Journalists.
Harris spent more than 40 years working as a journalist and was the first editor of the Harrow Times when it was launched in 1997.
He also worked across local newspapers in London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
As well as his work with the CIOJ, Harris taught news-writing, sub-editing and public administration on several NCTJ accredited courses.
He died on 4 January at St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton, north London.
A statement on the CIOJ website said: “We are sorry to inform you that Charlie has died. His death is a great loss to the Institute.”
Harris was admitted to the hospice shortly after Christmas. He had earlier been diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer.
Joanne Butcher chief executive of the NCTJ said: "Charlie was committed to professional journalism training and editorial standards and is a great loss to journalism and journalism training. He was a stalwart of the NCTJ and he will be very much missed by me and by my team who knew him and appreciated his loyalty, kindness and good humour."
Harris served on the board of the NCTJ between 1990 and 1993 however he remained deeply involved with the organisation marking logbooks and teaching on NCTJ accredited courses.
According to the CIOJ website:
Charlie’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, 14th January at 11.00 am at the Roman Catholic Church of St Matthew in Northwood, which is on the Metropolitan line.
After the service, Charlie will be interred at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery (Oxhey Lane, Watford, WD19 5RL.)
Following the burial, a reception will be held at The Harrow Hotel (12-22 Pinner Road, Harrow, HA1 4HZ.) We would be very grateful if some idea of numbers could be given before Friday. Please contact the CIoJ atmemberservices@cioj.co.uk or on 020 7252 1187.
It was Charlie’s wish that donations be made to St Luke’s Hospice rather than flowers and his family have set up a JustGiving page here:www.justgiving.com/CharlieHarris
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