JACK Straight, theatre and arts critic at the Bournemouth Echo for many years, died peacefully at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on January 28, aged 87.

Born in Ilford, Essex, his father’s work on the railways meant a move north to Stockport where he attended the local grammar school.

He started training as a quantity surveyor but it was not much to his liking and he decided to try journalism.

Mr Straight started as a junior reporter on the Essex County Standard but this was interrupted by two years of National Service with the Royal Engineers, when he was posted to Venice.

There, he developed a love of the Italian language, food and wine which he later pursued with the Italian Society in Bournemouth.

He joined the Bournemouth Echo in 1954 and reported the changing local scene, courts and council meetings. Later, he had his own daily page, Echoes of the Day, by Richmond. Later he became a sub-editor.

For many years he was the paper’s theatre critic and covered hundreds of shows in the area.

Among those he took under his wing was a youthful Bill Bryson, fresh from Des Moines, Iowa, who later wrote in his best-selling Notes from a Small Island that the kindly and learned Jack Straight had spent much time teaching him the subtleties of English law.

They stayed in contact long after Bryson had moved to greater things.

Another lifelong friendship of Jack’s was with veteran actor Peter Barkworth.

Jack retired in 1990 and was awarded life membership of the National Union of Journalists, having been a staunch supporter throughout his career.

He pursued his love of painting through classes with the Bournemouth Bay Arts Group and had several works in their exhibitions.

Last year he and his wife Diane received a message from the Queen to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.

She survives him along with a son, James, granddaughter and a sister.

A funeral service will be held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday at 12.30pm.