Geoff Mayor, one of the first photographers on the scene of John Lennon’s assassination, has died aged 83 in Leamington Spa. He was a long-time champion of the Journalists’ Charity.
Geoff joined Heart of England Newspapers in 1967 after working in the East Midlands.
While senior photographer for the Courier and Leamington Morning News, in 1973 he won the prestigious Press Photographer of the Year Award.
After a 12-year stint in Leamington, which included a spell working with the Warwickshire News and Picture Agency, he moved to the United States – in his own words: “On a wing and a prayer, with lots of contacts but no contracts.”
He worked on the Hartford Courant newspaper in Connecticut before moving to New York to establish himself as a freelance photographer working to the UK national newspaper market.
Following a brief spell with the Daily Express he became resident freelance photographer in Mirror Group’s NY Bureau at 220 42nd St, on the 36th floor of the iconic and world famous Daily News building.
In December 1980 he was among the first on the scene of the assassination of ex-Beatle John Lennon outside the Dakota Building.
A year later he left the Mirror to become Picture Editor of News International’s NY-based glossy Star Magazine, dealing with a mix of showbiz stories and current affairs.
He stayed there until 1983 when he returned to the UK and Leamington to work in television, first as Executive Head of Photography for Birmingham-based Central TV and then in a similar role for Carlton TV in Nottingham where he stayed until his retirement in 2004.
A family member said: ”When at Central, he particularly enjoyed working with the cast and on location for shows such as Spitting Image, Crossroads, Peak Practice, Morse and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.”
“Even after his retirement, he was rarely without a camera in his hand, covering events such as local drama festivals or assisting local organisations.
Laurie Upshon, a former chair and trustee of the Journalists’ Charity, was also a colleague at Central TV.
“When I arrived in Birmingham in 1985, Geoff was one of the first to welcome me – with a glass of whisky, I recall,” he said. “Times were different then … We stayed in touch long after.”
“He was always impeccably-dressed with his trademark bow tie, hand-tied, of course. He was a long-time supporter of the Journalists’ Charity, always willing to help those in need. Geoff was a regular attendee at the charity annual Christmas Carol Service at St Bride’s church in Fleet Street. In retirement he continued his association as a judge for the Wales Media Awards, which are run by the charity.”
Geoff also worked with Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western.
Among his NY colleagues was Daily Mirror staff reporter Maggie Hall who was posted to the New York Bureau for a three-year term in 1980. They became lifelong friends.
She said: “In the stress and anxiety of coping with covering a new patch – ie America – I found instant help and camaraderie in the wonderful form of Geoff Mayor. He was the Mirror’s number one choice of photographer.
“I loved going on the road with Geoff. No matter how tough things got, he held it together.
“My fondest memory, among the many stories we covered, was a week in Miami Beach covering the British holiday invasion of Florida.
“We found a white cotton flat cap, painted it with the Union Flag and a kindly Brit not only accepted our gift but wore it!
“Then Geoff – with his gentle charm – persuaded a Brit pensioner to tie the corners of his hanky with knots and wear it – 1930s Southend-style.
“It was the start of a precious friendship…..and one that, happily, we maintained to the end.”
Geoff’s funeral will be at 12:30 on Tuesday 22nd July 2025 at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick. His widow, Katharine, has asked that donations should be made to the Journalists’ Charity.
Rod Chaytor