Tributes have been paid to a writer, campaigner and senior figure in Liverpool’s Jewish community who died suddenly over the weekend.
Former Liverpool Echo journalist Dan Kay, 45, campaigned on behalf of families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster, and was honorary secretary of Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation at Princes Road Synagogue.
Kay helped lead the Echo’s coverage of the Hillsborough legal proceedings, and was a regular contributor to the ECHO’s sports desk, sharing his deep love of Liverpool FC and its history with readers.
He co-wrote With Hope In Her Heart, a powerful account of the late Anne Williams’ fight for justice for her son Kevin, 15, and the other Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough.
Kay’s beloved Liverpool FC itself was among the first to honour his memory, taking to Twitter to express sympathy to Kay’s family:
Everyone at LFC is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dan Kay.
A much respected journalist who was well known to many at the club, tireless Hillsborough campaigner and lifelong Liverpool fan, our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues, @LivEchonews. https://t.co/cpNwVmaaDe
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 8, 2023
Kay’s uncle, Steven Waldman, led the tributes to Dan, telling the Echo: “I doubt there is a more decent person than Daniel.
“He was a giving, supportive, loving person. He cared for society, he cared for Liverpool Football Club and he had a strong social conscience. He wanted to work with people in need, that was his plan.
“He had the ability to listen to people and provide support. He was a wonderful son, supportive to his mother and father. He gave understanding and support to my mother, his grandmother, Edna Waldman and to his grandfather Jack. He was a totally giving person.”
Kay headed the Echo’s live coverage of the fresh Hillsborough inquests, which concluded that those who died on April 15, 1989 were unlawfully killed. He also compiled individual tributes to those who lost their lives, spending time with many of the families affected over the years and campaigning passionately on their behalf, and produced visual tribute 97 Candles Burn Bright, a lasting memorial to the 97.
Liverpool Echo editor Maria Breslin added: “Everyone at the Echo is devastated by the loss of Dan. He was the most humble, kind and gentle man and, despite his modesty, a really good journalist. I worked with Dan closely for many years and he taught me so much.
“Dan had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Liverpool FC and his nostalgia-inspired reads were much loved by our audience. He also had a keen sense of justice and took the lead on much of our Hillsborough coverage. We couldn’t have wished for a more passionate or knowledgeable reporter to cover a story of such importance.
“Dan achieved so much in his life and will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts today are with his family and very many friends.”
Kay’s funeral is expected to take place at Liverpool’s Broadgreen Jewish Cemetery.
