Joe Gorrod

Posted: August 21st, 2013

Legendary Daily Mirror reporter ‘Big Joe’ Gorrod has died in Belfast following a short illness, a month short of his 75th birthday. His funeral will take place at 1pm on Friday, August 23 when there will be a service at St Malachy’s RC Church, Alfred Street, Belfast, followed by cremation at Roselawn Crematorium.

After serving in the army, the genial Geordie embarked on a career in journalism with spells at the Belfast Telegraph and Daily Express before joining his spiritual home at the Daily Mirror.

He spent most of his forty-year journalistic career covering events in his adopted home, Northern Ireland, for the Mirror.

He was so well thought of he was even coaxed out of retirement to accompany the McCartney sisters on their visit to the White House in Washington, USA, to meet the President regarding the murder of their brother by the IRA.

Joe will be sadly missed by his friends and colleagues and we extend our sympathies to his wife Eileen, his son Tim, daughter Joanne and the family circle. – Alan Lewis