The Star family bids a reluctant farewell to executive editor Soo Ewe Jin with a salute from colleagues and fans of his column.

WRITER. Senior editor. Friend. Coffee buddy. Mentor. Spiritual adviser. And always, the regular guy with a ready smile.

From office cleaners to guards and colleagues from the various departments throughout the 17 floors of Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, hearts were very heavy when news spread of executive editor Soo Ewe Jin’s passing on Thursday.

“Spare a thought for our less visible workmates... share a cup of coffee... and smile and listen because everyone has something to tell,” was his oft-repeated urging to everyone.

Ewe Jin the gladiator duked it out with four episodes of cancer. He had an indomitable spirit and a humble heart.

The Penang Free School old boy joined The Star in April 2000 as Star Online assistant editor; he assumed the editorship three years later. In April 2005, he helmed Sunday Star as editor, then special projects editor in June 2007. January the following year saw his promotion to deputy executive editor; he took on his current position in January 2014.

His weekly column that shared his insights and reflections, Sunday Starters and its predecessor, Monday Starters hit all the right notes with Joe public and garnered a large fan base.

In the past, Ewe Jin had also served at The National Echo, The Malay Mail, the Institute Of Strategic & International Studies (Isis) Malaysia, The World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF Malaysia) and The Edge.