Asia News Network editors paid tribute to Felix Soh, former deputy editor of Singapore's The Straits Times, who died of pneumonia on Sunday. He was 63, said a release yesterday.

Felix Soh, born in Singapore, was one of Asia's best known journalists, starting out as a sub-editor and going on to hold various positions including news editor, foreign editor and deputy editor at The Straits Times.

His passion for news, especially on the region where he came from, was evident in his involvement with Asia News Network, of which he was one of the founding editors.

ANN, established in1999, has grown to be the world's largest and most active news alliance with 22 member media in 19 Asian countries.

The veteran newspaperman, who retired last November, had been suffering from motor neuron disease, which causes nerve cells to gradually break down and die.

"Work was his life. He worked 365 days. Even if he was at home, he would be preparing for work. For him, work would come first and I accepted it," said his wife Genevieve Soh.

Soh's journalistic career spanned more than 30 years.