Tributes to 'godfather' who captured city’s biggest moments

Tributes have poured in for Plymouth’s “godfather of press photographers” who has died at the age of 78 after a courageous fight against illness.

Tony Carney was loved and respected by a generation of journalists and snappers, and has been described by his widow, Sue Carney, as her best friend and a man who livened up any party.

Tony worked as chief photographer and picture editor at The Herald from the early 1970s until the 1990s, and then as a freelance until retiring in 2017.

He covered hundreds of events and some of the biggest news stories in the city including the devastating Dingles department store fire of 1988, and the Royal Navy ’s part in the 1990 Gulf War.

His lens was trained on events representing the very fabric of Plymouth life, and he snapped marathons, tall ship races, and Plymouth Argyle matches at home and away.

Tony nurtured a generation of brilliant photographers, many still working in Plymouth, and was a source of inspiration, advice and encouragement for young journalists.

But away from work he loved nothing more than his family - Sue, his wife of 56 years, son Nick, daughter-in-law Debbie and grandson James - and walking his beloved poodle.

Tony was also a talented musician, playing drums in a band called Champagne as a young man, and loved jazz and soul music.

“He was the most lovely, comfortable person,” Sue told PlymouthLive. “He was so proud of his son. He loved his home and family, if he was at home he was fine.

“Tony was the best friend I ever had and I will miss him until my dying day. I’m finding it hard because there was always just the two of us.”

Tony met Sue when he popped into the hairdressers’ where she worked back in 1970. She said: “He came in for a coffee and the rest is history.”

Sue told of how on a holiday to the seaside town of Whitby, in Yorkshire, about 11 years ago, they were approached by a stranger in a cafe who said: “You’re the man from The Herald.”

“He knew people everywhere,” she said. “And he was always so funny. He livened up every party.”

Tony was fell ill just seven weeks before his death on May 24 at Derriford Hospital, surrounded by family members.

His passing has also been felt across Plymouth, particularly by former colleagues who have paid their respects to a man they described as a “true legend” and the “godfather of press photography”.

Many know him simply as TC, and recalled a man who could handle intense pressure in the days of hothouse newsrooms and still come up smiling.

During his time at The Herald it won a national award and the picture department was considered second to none. He worked at the Western Morning News building, when it was in New George Street, and at The Ship, in Derriford.

Among snappers who worked with Tony, Wayne Perry recalled a man who “commanded respect” and said of him: “Your legacy lives on in the history you captured and the photographers you made.”

Iain Ballantyne, a former Herald defence reporter and chief reporter, called Tony a “unique and special person” and said: “Things could get a bit fiery with Tony in the newsroom and photographic department – he never suffered fools gladly, professional standards were all. But a sense of humour and awareness of life’s absurdities was invariably lurking.

“There was a deep, abiding care for the paper – and yes, even for reporters and other editors. His heartfelt imprecations over some crucial issue or other would invariably soon cool down and laughter may erupt, or a twinkle appear in his eye above a sardonic twitch of the moustache.

“On assignment could be a rollercoaster with Tony, but if you became his mate, as well as a respected colleague, he would do anything for you – we had plenty of laughs in the Gulf and also in France during our D-Day anniversary adventures. They remain treasured memories.”

Iain added: “I am stricken by his passing and devastated for his family – especially as I had a good laugh and a chat with Tony and Sue, talking about old times and other things, just a few weeks ago at their home.”

Another former colleague, press photographer Jonathan Eastland, remembered Tony being affectionately dubbed The Bear, and said: “Tony and I were pals for more than 50 years.

“From the earliest days, Tony and his beautiful wife Sue and son Nick made me, and later my wife and baby daughter - and even an unruly shaggy haired apprentice I had in tow -welcome in their home whenever an overnight stay was needed in Plymouth.

“The Bear would growl his insistence in a manner you knew was simply hopeless to argue against.”

Former Herald picture editor Pete Holdgate paid tribute on social media and said: "TC was a Plymouth legend - a regular on the sidelines of Argyle's pitch, and his coverage of the Dingles fire was epic.

“Such a big character, he will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Tony gave me my break in those early years, working as a freelance photographer, after serving as photographer in the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines, Commando Forces.

“I have so much to thank you for, mucker, and it's with a heavy heart, I make this sad post. Rest easy, Tony.”

ITV journalist Jacquie Bird, also a former Herald reporter, called Tony a “legend in the West Country media world” and said on social media: “Often terrifying, he was an old softy at heart who loved his family above all.”

Another former Herald journalist, Alison Stoneham, posted: “Thanks for the adventures we had in our days at The Herald and Morning News. Memories never die, nor will your photographic legacy which will live on long after we do. I’ll miss you, you gruff old bear.”

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