Service honours respected businessman Douglas Graham

Mr Graham died recently after a short illness, aged 85.

He belonged to the Wolverhampton-based family company widely regarded as one of the most successful in the newspaper and print industry.

A service to celebrate his life will take place at St Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton city centre on Monday April 13.

It starts at 11.30am and people are invited to pay their respects to the well-known businessman.

At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to Compton Hospice, Severn Hospice and Hope House.

Mr Graham succeeded his father, Malcolm Graham, as chairman of the Claverley Group in 1993 after a lifelong career in the business.

A keen motor enthusiast, he lived at Worfield near Bridgnorth, was a life member of the British Racing Drivers' Club and was also a game shooting enthusiast.

Mr Graham was 85 in February and his wife Sara has said she was especially thankful for the care he received at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, where he passed away.

She said: "I was jolly lucky to have been married to him for nearly 35 years. He was great fun, had a wonderful sense of humour, could be occasionally challenging but was a very interesting man.

"He was also devoted to the family, his stepsons James and Colin, their wives who have all been very supportive and four super grandchildren between the ages of 18 months and 11. In fact he had great games with the youngest not long before he died."

Claverley CEO Phil Inman paid tribute to Mr Graham during the Express & Star publisher Midland New Association (MNA) awards in Telford last week.

Paying tribute Mr Inman said: "Mr Graham was a major force in the success of our business.

"His career, which spanned more than half a century, saw the MNA and its sister companies achieve significant triumphs amid times of fierce competition and constant change."

Mr Inman added: "During his time with the company, the Express & Star grew to become the biggest selling regional newspaper in the UK. It also launched the Shropshire Star in 1964.

"On a personal level, he was a warm personality with a terrific sense of humour.

"Mr Graham was incredibly appreciative of our staff's loyalty and commitment."

Educated at Shrewsbury School, Mr Graham was a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire for many years and had been closely involved in local matters across the Midlands region throughout his life.