PETALING JAYA: Always soft-spoken, knowledgeable and kind – those are words that would describe Joseph Chin (pic), a veteran journalist who lost his battle with cancer yesterday. He was 63.

       Joe, as he was known to everyone, started his career in the Straits Echo in Penang before joining The Star in December 1981 and served the company for a decade before leaving for the New Straits Times in 1991 as a sub-editor.

       His career also took him to other organisations such as Agence France-Presse, Malaysian Industry and The Edge Communications.

       He returned to The Star in April 2012 where he served as the Business Editor, Multimedia and managed the online section of the business desk until his retirement on Jan 15 this year.

       He retired to concentrate on his fight against cancer.

       Joe leaves behind his wife Jackie Tow, and two children, Rebekah and Wesley.

       He also left behind his “family” at The Star, an organisation with which Joe has had a long association.

       Star Media Group adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said that when he first joined The Star, Chin had mentored him.

       “He was a very helpful person and happily took me around as a cub reporter. A very positive person, he demonstrated strong vibes even as he fought against cancer later in his life,” Wong said.

       Joe’s presence was felt at the business section of the newsroom.

       “Joseph was an all rounder and a source of encouragement to younger reporters,” Wong said.

       SMG chief content officer Esther Ng too has fond memories of Joe, calling him a good worker and friend.

       “He was a long-time journalist, with sound credentials yet, he was the humble sort. Always friendly, easy to work with and well-liked. We will miss him,” she said.

       Joe built friendships everywhere he went, said two of his oldest buddies.

       “We started in journalism together more than 40 years ago and he was one of my closest friends. Joe was a devout Christian and one of the rare persons who did not have a single mean bone in his body,” said Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan.

       “His last words to me when I called him two days ago were ‘Jesus will look after me.’ Farewell Joe. You were a very good man.”

       Ch’ng Hock Lai, who was with Joe in the early days of The Star, recalled those days.

       “We met more than 40 years ago. If you ever played Pictionary and someone asked you to draw a good, kind and true person... you would draw Joseph Chin. It’s how I will remember him,” Ch’ng said.

       “Very early today, after midnight Joseph Chin left this world, leaving his pain and the terrible sickness consuming him. He is gone, a dear beloved friend, leaving a wife and two children whose grief and loss will be hard. His family was everything to him.”

       Joe was generous with his time and was often involved in helping children and young adults, and doing work for his Church.

       The members of the The Business Desk at SMG will also mourn the loss of Uncle Joe, one of their stalwarts. His guidance and dedication was an inspiration to those at the desk. May He Rest in Peace.