A veteran Merseyside news journalist, and Liverpool Press Club member, who reported on the region's biggest stories for decades, has died at the age of 79.
Frank Corless, who was the Daily Mirror's Merseyside and North Wales district reporter for more than 30 years, died after a long illness.
In his early career he worked for a St Helens newspaper, and at the end, he did shifts on the newsdesk for the Liverpool Daily Post.
He leaves a wife, Sylvia, a daughter, two sons, and four granddaughters.
Mrs Corless, who lived with him in West Kirby, said: "He loved his job.
“We’d plan a day out, the office would ring, and I’d be left on the doorstep as he roared off in his car on a job."
Mrs Corless has thanked staff at the Safe Harbour care home in Bebington, Wirral, for the way they looked after her husband.
“They went above and beyond, the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she added.
Frank’s family were unable to visit him in his last days, because of the Covid-19 lockdown, but carers made sure they spoke to him by telephone.
His long-time Daily Mirror colleague, Ian Cameron said: "If you could encapsulate the essence of a Daily Mirror man, in terms of dedication and excellence, it would have been Frank Corless.
"He was a fine reporter, who was woven into the Liverpool tapestry of the 60's and 70's of major industrial strikes and the triumphs of Liverpool FC."
One of Frank's innate skills was an ability to identify and foster rising talent, colleagues said.
One of the young stars whose career he promoted, in the late 60s, was Colin Myler.
He was then a trainee reporter on the Catholic Pictorial newspaper, who made Frank his main target for tips and stories.
No-one was more pleased than Frank to see Colin rise to the highest echelons of the business, in Fleet St and New York.
Former Daily Mirror managing editor, Colin said: ‘Frank was one of the first national journalists I encountered in Liverpool.
"He was one of the Mirror’s district men in the city and an impressive operator who made such a huge impression on me.
"Frank was always kind, wise, incredibly supportive and always encouraging.
"He was a master of Mirror tabloid intros and tight writing style and I learned a lot from him.
"Frank was a gentleman and a wonderful friend.
"My sincere condolences go to Sylvia, Sophie[daughter] and his entire family.’
Frank was one of the last members of the renowned "Liverpool Pack" of national newspaper journalists.
These were a band of brothers, who were also fierce rivals, when it came to a scoop.
His friend and colleague, Andrew Loudon, of the Daily Mail, shares with Frank the claim to being the last members of the Liverpool Pack.
Andrew Loudon said: "I worked with, and against, Frank Corless for 30 years and no finer adversary could a hack wish for.
"Always amusing and quietly-spoken, he would be charm itself even while pulling the rug from under your feet with a well-deserved Mirror exclusive.
"In Liverpool we went through the endless strikes of the 70s, the appalling Hatton years of the 80s, and the heartbreaking James Bulger murder and its aftermath in the 90s.
"Through it all, Frank often managed to keep one step ahead with a combination of good contacts and guile.
"At the same time, he was a good, reliable and helpful friend who was a delight to work with.
"Reptiles of Fleet Street? Not Frank."
There will be a private family funeral, but plans are being made for a memorial service, when the Covid-19 emergency has passed.
