John Hughes informed us of the sad news that Joe died, 1 August 2023. He’d suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for some time and was in Woodside Care Home and died of further complications.
Joe was born on 22 March 1936 in Cumbria and proud of his Lake District roots. He trained at the Carlisle College of Art where he first met John Westwood. He spent some time in the world of advertising before being recruited by John Westwood to HMSO Graphic Design in 1971. He was promoted to Senior Designer in 1978 and his team were responsible for HMSO Books publicity and other promotional material. He was introduced to HM The Queen on her visit to St Crispins in 1986. He retired in 1996 to dabble in his many interests, including jazz and tinkering with old cars.
John Hughes adds: I could write a book about my memories of Joe. About how thoughtful and considerate he was towards other people, his gentle sense of humour (never at the expense of others’ feelings). About his love of Jazz, Cars and Aircraft. How he could turn his hand to any practical problem and sort it out and explain it all with the help of a few sketches on any available scrap of paper. About how he never had a bad word for anyone (or if he did, keeping it to himself). How him and me pushed each other up the flightcrew steps into the cockpit of a Lancaster bomber – ‘just to have a look’. About what a good designer he was. Yes! I could write a book. But I can edit it to just five words – Joe was my best friend.
Richard Nelson adds: I spoke to Mary the day before Joe died and was told the prognosis was not good. A great bloke, we did a lot of stuff together and he was a friend to my boys too – music and cars. We would always invite them for a get together around Xmas, Joseph and Mary are coming to dinner appealed to my sense of humour. My photo of Joe & Mary at Hill House in 2010 below.
Tina Lawlor Mottram adds: Joe was such a lovely boss. He was quietly confident and very tolerant of his new Irish employee, always willing to answer silly questions and helping me to learn. Not to mind his tactful opinions about whatever I was getting hot and bothered about.
George Hammond adds: Daz and I were very sad to hear the news about Joe. We knew that he had struggled with his health for many years – and last year, we remember that he was in hospital – did well to recover from Covid. Joe was fortunate to have such a good friend in you, John. And we’re glad you were able to see him shortly before he died. I worked alongside Joe when I first joined HMSO at Atlantic House – in 1971 or thereabouts. I was also part of the team he led at St Crispins in Norwich when I rejoined HMSO in 1978. I always found Joe to be a very capable designer and a generous and fair boss. A very likeable man, very easy to get along with. Open and honest. Cheerful. He always seemed deeply committed to his family and friends.
We have received messages of condolence from several others: Janice Mather who worked in Joe’s team, John Miles, HMSO’s Typographic Adviser, Ken Arnoldi, Adrian Young in Australia and a call from Margery Kraszewski in France saying what a nice gentle chap Joe was and when he and Mary stayed with her in France he sketched around the house and garden and these are now framed on her wall.