LARRY WADE
1928-2012
Publisher, Journalist, Rotarian
Larry Wade, former publisher of the Coronado Journal and one of Coronado’s true gentlemen.
He passed away last week at the age of 83. Photo courtesy of the Coronado Historical Association.
CORONADO Larry Wade, the good-humored, community-oriented former publisher of the Coronado Journal passed away last week from natural causes. He was 83.
Larry’s career was actually many careers writer, editor, publicist, banker, business consultant – but his true love was journalism. His newspaper experience included such publications as the Riverside (CA) Press Enterprise. He was a department head at the San Francisco Chronicle, and general manager of the Newhall Signal.
He was editor and publisher of the Hollister Evening Freelance, where his daily editorial page won top honors from the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association for three successive years. And Larry established five Navy Base newspapers that included The Gator, The Periscope, and The North Islander. He was also a three-term national director and editor of Blue and Gold.
Larry was executive director of the Western Newspaper Foundation and taught journalism at Pepperdine University Graduate School. He owned the San Marcos Outlook, was publisher of the Coronado Journal, and editor of the Coronado Eagle. While at the Eagle, Larry wrote a weekly column called, “Island Lookout” that was extremely popular with readers.
Educationally, Larry earned an MBA from the University of Redlands. In addition to his long and respected career as a publisher, editor and journalist, he managed Coronado Wells Fargo Bank from 1986-1992, was marketing and fundraising director for the Coronado Hospital, and served as past president and director of the Coronado Council of Navy League. He was extremely dedicated to the Coronado business community and our military.
He served as president of Coronado Rotary from 1991-1992. In addition to being a Paul Harris Fellow, Larry was Rotarian of the Year in 1994, and was active in Rotary up until this past year, when his health prevented him from attending meetings.
Larry was also involved with the Coronado Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the founders of the Chamber’s Salute to the Military Ball and remained active each year with their Christmas Parade, Business Open House, and Snow Mountain.
Larry Wade came to Coronado in 1983 as publisher of the Harte-Hanks-owned Coronado Journal. He rapidly became a familiar face on the island and loved to walk down main-street during his free time, often holding hands with his beloved wife Barbara.
Together they would go out of their way to meet shop owners, residents and visitors alike. Larry had that rare and refreshing personality that made you feel like you were the most important person in the world while talking with him, and no one could ever forget his hearty laugh.
“I met Larry the second day he arrived in Coronado as the Publisher of the Coronado Journal, and we became lifelong friends,” said Ken Mitchell, former public affairs officer at North Island Naval Air Station. “Larry was one of those unsung Coronado heroes who helped many people without ever looking for anything in return.”
Larry Wade is pre-deceased by his wife Barbara. He leaves five children and seven grandchildren. No services are planned. Donations may be made in his name to the Coronado Rotary, to continue his shared belief of, “Service Before Self.”
[This article is reprinted with permission
from the Coronado Eagle/Journal Newspaper]
