Haydn Shimmin, a leading figure in the local newspaper industry throughout the latter part of the 20th century, has died at the age of 84.

He had suffered a steady and relatively quick decline over the last six months and passed away on Saturday afternoon at Castle View Nursing Home in Peel.

Born in March 1935 he joined the Examiner office on March 13, 1952, as an apprentice compositor at the age of 17.

The editor at that time was Curwen Clague and the composing room foreman Dicky Clucas.

At the completion of his six-year apprenticeship, during which he also learned how to operate a Linotype [type setting] machine, Haydn spent two years in London with the British Army during his National Service.

Upon returning to the island he took up where he had left off at the Examiner office, but for a while transferred to the Times office in Athol/Nelson Street when Examiner proprietor HL Dor also bought this company from the Brown family.

Haydn moved into the advertising department in the mid-1960s and later, after returning to Hill Street, became sales manager, working closely with the likes of Arthur Scarffe, Doug Faragher, print room manager Laurence Kermode, accounts director Sammy Craine and Examiner editor Eric Kinrade.

He became a director of the Examiner/Times/Manx Star group in 1978, under Herbert Quayle, and took over as managing director when the latter retired. It was a difficult and at times tempestuous period in the newspaper industry.

The Examiner titles were bought by Isle of Man Newspapers early in 1987, at which point Haydn bowed out of the business.

He lived his entire life in St John’s, where he was a popular member of the community. Haydn played football for the village side for many years, scoring no fewer than five goals in a Hospital Cup final replay in 1955 when St John’s defeated St Mary’s 7-1. He later served as club treasurer and secretary.

Together with former Archdeacon Brian Partington and John Jack he helped form St John’s Cricket Club in 1979, initially based at Ballachurry Road, Greeba.

His passion in latter years was his garden, in particular his onions and vegetable patch beside the family home.

Haydn Shimmin leaves Jill, his wife of 58 years, sons Neil and Graham and families.

His funeral service will take place at Peel Cathedral tomorrow (Friday) at 10am.