Arthur Everett – Association of Mirror Pensioners

Posted: June 23rd, 2025

ARTHUR EVERETT, former advertisement make-up manager at Mirror Group, died at home, surrounded by his family, on December 27 [2024]. He was 89. He leaves wife Eileen, son James, daughter Joanna, and grandchildren Charlotte, Matthew, Finley, Jessica and Layla.

His daughter Joanna sent these words: “Dad worked in Fleet Street from leaving school until retiring to Devon in 1991. His final role was make-up manager for the Daily and Sunday Mirror and The People. He was was old school, using pencil and ruler to rough out his schemes. When we were away he used the local telephone boxes to keep in touch with the office. He always said his finest memory was getting in the lift at the same time as the lovely Linda Lusardi!

“In retirement in Devon, Dad kept himself busy with mum and dad’s beloved Dougal, a Welsh terrier. My mum Eileen and dad would go walking for hours, and there was always a pub at the end. Arthur got itchy feet, so he got himself a part-time job with Royal Mail collecting post from mail boxes along some of the most beautiful coastline, and had the luxury of taking his lunch break not in a pub like the Mirror days, but overlooking the gorgeous Saunton Sands beach, watching the surfers.

“I relocated from London to north Devon with my two older children when my first marriage ended. Arthur was right at home helping me out with my daughter Charlotte and son Matthew. Dad loved the school pick-ups, and taking Matthew to football training, and coming with me to watch the Sunday morning games. Arthur was at his most comfortable (apart from propping up the bar) when he was with his family.

“I later met my second husband and we went on to have a son, Finley, who Dad adored just as much as my other children, and he supported the next several football seasons before his health and mobility sadly deteriorated. The family football banter was constant – Arthur was a Millwall supporter, my husband and younger son Blackburn fans, and Matthew, my middle son, a Fulham fan!

“Arthur was so proud to attend my daughter Charlotte’s first graduation – she was the first member of our family to graduate. She achieved two more graduations, but these were in Covid times so there were no ceremonies to attend.

“My parents were married for more than 62 years. The best decision they ever made was to move in with us. I cared for my Dad doing more than I ever thought possible, but it was pure joy and we laughed all the time, especially when he’d sneak in to ask for his red wine to be topped up! Arthur has been a huge influence on and constant supporter of his close family, and has left a huge void in our lives. RIP The Mirror man.”

Arthur’s friend and former colleague Peter Smith writes: “I first met Arthur in 1972 when I joined the company as a junior clerk. He was already Daily Mirror make-up manager, a senior position in the paper’s advertisement department. He eventually became my boss and we became good friends. Arthur gave me the best advice to release the pressures of the job: ‘Always make time to get down the pub lunchtime and sink a few pints!’ This we did religiously until the day he left. Arthur moved down to North Devon with his lovely wife Eileen, and their daughter Joanna joined them a few years later. Our families met up every year. Cheers Arf, you were a legend.”