The passing of a great talent

It is with great regret that I must announce that our beloved cartoonist, Edwin Huxley, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Ed premiered in the March/April 2001 edition of Australasian Dental Practice and became a regular, placing his own unique spin on our humourist Neil Burman's columns.

Edwin's real "day job" was as an artist and illustrator for News Limited in Sydney and he was in perpetual disbelief that he could be paid for what he loved doing - drawing and producing art that was a privilege to publish.

After three bouts of cancer, he passed away on Sunday, February 27 at the age of 53. He had been battling the disease since 2001 and, after twice returning to work, his third encounter proved unbeatable.

Ed contributed to every edition of Australasian Dental Practice when his illness would allow and has been noticeably absent in recent times as he battled in vain this last time to conquer the disease. He will be sadly missed.

Ed was born to parents Jim and Lee Huxley in Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1951. From an early age he started to draw, showing the talent that would see him on his way to being an award-winning illustrator.

In 1965, he was sent to board at Waverley College to finish his education. The rest of the family also moved to Sydney soon after. He left school in 1968 and started his long career as an artist working beside some of Sydney's finest press artists. He first worked at The Sun newspaper, then Country Life, moving to the Grace Bros art department and then back to Fairfax on The Sydney Morning Herald for many great years.

After working at The Herald for many years, Ed went freelance, then later joined News Limited on May 5, 1987 becoming full-time on September 11, 1995, joining his younger brother Quentin in the art department.

As an illustrator, Ed did his best work in this period, winning a prestigious Stanley Award from The Australian Black & White Artists Club for caricature in 1990. He was a true character, some called him a rough diamond. He was known and loved by many people in the art community and in the greater News Limited family from executives to copy persons.

Ed was a great illustrator, a passionate artist. He loved his family. He loved his Roosters football team, his music and a beer with his friends. He will be missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his former wife Marcia, his mother, Lee, and brothers, Nicholas, James and Quentin.