Former Express & Star reporter John Cranage dies

Mr Cranage had more than 40 years of experience in regional newspapers including with the Birmingham Post and Mail as well as the Express & Star.

Born and bred in Walsall, Mr Cranage began his career on the Walsall Observer, followed by a spell in the South East working for the Evening Post in Reading.

He then returned to his native region to join the Express & Star in 1976 as a news reporter, including stints at the Walsall and Lichfield district offices, before moving to the Birmingham Evening Mail to cover the Dudley patch where he spent many years.

Mr Cranage later decided to specialise in business journalism and moved to the main Birmingham office.

A spell freelancing saw him contribute regularly to the Birmingham Post's business supplements alongside a wide range of publications including the highly respected Investors Chronicle.

He then rejoined the Birmingham titles to spend 10 years covering the city's business community, in particular corporate and personal finance and the automotive industry.

Mr Cranage, who in his youth was a high standard water polo player, retired to Lichfield where he went into book writing although none were ever published.

Former journalist Ian Strachan, who started at the Express & Star on the same day as Mr Cranage, said: "He was a journalist of the old school and understood the value of contacts.

"He had a healthy cynicism for the world around him and an opinion on just about everything which he was never afraid to express.

"A lunchtime or evening in his company was never dull."

Birmingham Post & Mail acting executive editor Graeme Brown, paid tribute to him.

He said: "John was a fine journalist and a beautiful writer.

"During his time at the Post, he showed a verve for writing often quite technical pieces in a way which engaged the his audience.

Mr Cranage is survived by his sister Jane Wainwright.

His funeral will be at Streetly Crematorium, near Walsall, on December 9 at 10am.