Thomas Hoy

A Yorkshireman by birth, he was editor of the Hull and Lincolnshire Times series of paid-for weekly newspapers in the early 1970s before being appointed assistant editor of the Hull Daily Mail, also owned by Northcliffe Newspapers. In 1977 he moved to the West Country to edit another of the group's newspapers, the Gloucestershire Echo, until he stepped down in 1983.

He had a thirst for learning, and after retiring to his native North Yorkshire where he settled in Scarborough, he embarked on an academic career studying at Hull University until well into his 80s.

Despite being dogged by ill-health which saw him battle through cancer, suffer a broken leg and two heart attacks, he gained his MA four years ago having done his dissertation on Winston Churchill and his impact on the Anglo-American special relationship.

Mr Hoy had already obtained his BA in cultural and social studies with religious studies at the university's Scarborough campus.

But it was during that time he had to break off to spend five months in hospital with mouth cancer where his treatment involved removing half his lower jaw.

At about the same time he also broke his leg and later, while studying for his Masters degree he suffered two heart attacks.

When awarded his MA, Hull University said he was "probably one of the oldest people to get both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in the whole country".

He was also very pleased at his achievements which turned out to be virtually a second career, although when he gave that up he said he would be able to spend more time on his hobby of painting.

When editing the paper in Gloucester he was regarded as "a real gentleman" who treated his staff well and was said to be "incredibly friendly".

He once said that he had missed his vocation in life to be a priest.

Mr Hoy, whose wife Joyce predeceased him in 1994, is survived by a son, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.