TRIBUTES have been paid to Neal Butterworth, the former editor of the Daily Echo, who has died after losing his battle with cancer.

He was 55.

Neal was at the helm of the newspaper between 1998 and 2011 and had just started a new life with his wife Julie in Spain last summer when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Obituary: Tributes paid to former Echo editor Neal Butterworth

They returned to Poole straightaway for treatment. Of his cancer, Neal vowed up until the end to “kick its ass.”

He wrote: “From the positivity of the people treating me, to the support of wonderful family and fantastic friends, I know at some stage I will kick cancer's sorry ass.

"And because my own cancer can't at this stage be cured, I'll just have to keep sticking the boot in."

He passed away at Poole Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.

His wife and daughters, Gemma and Dayna, were at his bedside.

Julie told the Daily Echo: “We have lost one of life's very special and truly wonderful people.

“He will leave a massive hole in many people's lives that will never be filled.”

His brother Mark added: “We always called him 'Our Neal' and looked up to him.

“He was such a talented lad but he never made a big deal about anything. I am sure we don't know half of all the things he did.

“I do know that he was held in huge esteem by so many people and did a lot of amazing things in the community. We have always been incredibly proud of him.”

Businesswoman Liz Lean described him as “the ultimate wordsmith.”

She added: “I have worked in the local business world for the best part of 20 years and Neal was a part of that for all that time.

”His advice was always spot on, he was an amazing ambassador and an unbelievable public speaker.

“He compered so many events and always nailed it. He got everything spot on.

“But above all he was a lovely, loving and caring family man. This is such a huge loss.”

Cliff Moore, the Echo's deputy head of multimedia production, was the man who brought Neal to Dorset.

He recalls: “I was editing the Advertiser Series, based in Poole, when Neal got in touch on the off-chance that there might be a job available.

“It turns out he was working on free newspapers in the Manchester and travelling down to Poole most weekends to see his girlfriend Julie.

“This, not unnaturally, was proving to be a bit arduous so he was looking to move to Dorset. I interviewed him with Advertiser Series general manager Alex Cummings and we were so impressed we created the new position of assistant editor for him.

“The rest, as they say, is history. He later moved to the Advertiser's sister paper The New Forest Post as editor, then the Southampton Advertiser, before gaining the Echo editorship.

“I remember his stag night in Poole when, after visiting a number of pubs, we failed to get into any curry house in town and ended up eating toast at my home.

“I also recall he was an enthusiastic cricketer for the Southernprint evening league team which I captained.

“Neal was a fine journalist. He certainly had the gift of the gab and instantly made people feel at ease. He will be much missed as a friend and colleague.”

Peter Scott, Chief Executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said: "Having known Neal for more than a decade during his editorship of the Echo, I counted him as a friend, colleague, wise counsel, and all-round thoroughly nice chap.

"The tragic loss to his family leaves an equally big gap in the business community."

Paul Knight, Managing Director at Bournemouth Airport, said: "Neal was a great supporter of Bournemouth Airport over the years - not only as Editor of the Daily Echo but also as one of our regular passengers. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Steve Power, breakfast presenter of Wave 105 said: “He was just a lovely, warm bloke and a fantastic professional. We worked on a number of things together including the Top of the Shops awards in Poole and it was great to be alongside him. He really knew to work an audience.

“I had been following his blog and he dealt with his illness with an amazing sense of humour. I don’t think he really let on to most people how serious it was and that’s the sort of person he was.”

Mike Wright, former managing director of the Daily Echo, said: "It was a privilege to work with Neal at the Daily Echo. He was a joy to work with, a great Editor, amusing writer and a man who always had time and a smile for his friends. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time." 

John Corderoy, from Breeze VW, said: "My thoughts and best wishes go out to Neal's family at this time, it is such a sad loss. He was so supportive of us over many years and socially Neal was the most engaging company. He is going to be severely missed."

Guy Neale, former Echo advertising manager added: “We worked together for nearly 20 years and in that time we grew close not only as professional work colleagues but also as friends.

“We supported each other through both good and tough times. The last time I saw my friend he shook my hand smiled and told me to 'have a good time'. His friendship to me was priceless and will never be forgotten.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice also paid tribute. Elizabeth Purcell, Chief Executive at the hospice, which offers free specialist palliative nursing care to around 650 local people living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, said: “Lewis-Manning Hospice would like to join with those who have sent the family and friends of the late Neal Butterworth sincere sympathy and condolences.

"Neal was a great friend and supporter of Lewis-Manning Hospice and will be sadly missed by us all.

"Through the pages of the Echo he ensured, that over the years, Lewis-Manning had a place to share news and events, and personally he and his wife Julie actually attended some of our fundraising which was so welcomed by us all.”

Eric Robinson, Retired Regional Managing Director of Newsquest Southern, said: "Neal was not just a work colleague but a true friend. In my 30 years in regional press I came across many editors but Neal was really special. He cared.

"He cared about his staff, won many Newspaper awards, had an incredible, witty sense, of humour and was articulate and talented.

"We will all miss him. It was an honour and a pleasure to have known and worked with Neal at Newsquest Southern.”

Maurice Patterson, from Bournemouth Rotary, said: "Neal was Patron of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association for many years and as an avid supporter of the Red Arrows, did much to promote our cause.

"In 2006 he was made an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Bournemouth and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship (Rotary's highest award) for services to local charities and good causes.

"Thanks to Neal and the Echo, over £7M was raised by these organisations. Before we sat down for lunch yesterday members of Bournemouth Rotary spent a few moments in silence in his memory."