Paul Whittome loses his battle with cancer at 55
Paul Whittome, owner of the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market, Norfolk, has died aged 55 after an 18-month battle against cancer.
Whittome (pictured with his wife Jeanne), who won the Pub and Bar Operator of the Year Catey in 1999, bought the Hoste Arms, a 17th-century coaching inn with 35 rooms, in 1989. He later added the Vine House boutique hotel, the Railway Inn and Railway Cottages to his portfolio.
Commenting on behalf of his family, friends and colleagues, Sarah Eddison, Whittome's PR said: "It seems impossible that someone like Paul could ever die. He was beyond brave, and right until the end never wanted to stop having treatment for the illness, that in his own words, he never felt bitter at having. I think he thought that if he could have one more day, or hour, or second being with the people he loved the most - his beloved wife, Jeanne, whom he always called his "dream girl", his step-daughters Lauren and Natasha, and indeed his other "family" - the amazing business he created, he should be allowed to take it.
"He made the most valiant and enormous effort to stay alive until he just couldn't do it anymore. The ‘campaign' he made to stay alive, has made his dying all the worse for us, but he will live on in his family and friends with his sheer joy and drive for life. A life cut short, but an amazing life and one for which he was very grateful for. It is the end of an era, but his legacy will live on."
A private cremation ceremony will take place on Thursday 15 July, followed by a public thanksgiving service at Burnham Westgate Church, Burnham Market, on Friday 16 July at 11am. In accordance with Whittome's instructions, there will be no flowers and nobody is to wear black.
Table Talk: Tributes to Paul Whittome >>
By Neil Gerrard
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