Charles Grech Orr, who was editor of The Times for 25 years, passed away this morning at Mater Dei Hospital. He was 84.

He joined Allied Newspaper in 1947 and worked for several years as a court reporter. He served as editor between 1965 and 1990, a time which included Malta's-post-independence transition and the attack on Strickland House in 1979.

Mr Grech Orr, who was a legal procurator, was made a Member of the National Order of Merit in 2005 and published his memoirs in the book In the Editor's Chair (Progress Press).

He is survived by his wife Grace (nee Ganado) and their three children, Caroline, Marisa and Karl.

Former The Sunday Times editor Laurence Grech said Mr Grech Orr was an upright person who steered the newspaper through very turbulent times. He  was always correct in his actions and never sought to sensationalise. 

The Institute of Maltese Journalists expressed its condolences, recalling that Mr Grech Orr was one of its founders.