Brian Cook was born on 22 March 1936 in Worthing where he attended the local high school and began his career as an editor in 1949 as a delivery boy until he was appointed sports reporter for the Worthing Herald.
Passionate about bridge, chess, music, antiques, coins, stamps, gardening, DIY and sports, he married Tess who worked with him at the Gazzetta and who gave him two children: Susy and Matt.
Brian, who was also a decent amateur baritone, once retired was a bridge teacher and, from 2001 to 2007, editor of English Bridge.
He passed away on April 1, 2017.