Newspaper veteran remembered

The life of an Albany Advertiser stalwart and well-known local figure who died last week will be remembered at a memorial service in Perth today.

Harold James Watt died last Friday, just five days short of his 103rd birthday.

Harold moved to Albany with his family after falling in love with the town while on holiday.

He started work at the Advertiser in early 1949 as a linotype operator - his role was typesetting the newspaper.

After a stint in Northam to manage the Northam Advertiser News from 1957 to 1959, Harold, wife Beryl, son Leon and daughter Shirley returned to Albany in 1959.

He remained at the Advertiser for a further 20 years until his retirement in 1980 at age 68.

Harold's son Leon Watt, who was the Member for Albany from 1974 until 1993, said his father was thrilled to receive a roll-top desk when he retired, which remains in the family.

"He was proud as punch of that," Leon said.

"It was, at least until that time, the most expensive retirement gift the company had presented to one of its retirees, which says something about the esteem in which he was held."

Colin Edwards, a former sports editor at the Advertiser, said Harold had a big influence on him during his time at the paper.

Leon said his late father, who was an active member of the Methodist Church, would be remembered as a "universally liked man with an extremely kind nature".

"We will miss him," he said.

Harold is survived by Leon, daughter Shirley Bramford, four grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.