George Kane: Oct. 6, 1913 – Nov. 28, 2009
George Robert Kane, longtime editor of the Los Gatos Times-Observer, passed away of natural causes on Nov. 28, 2009, at the age of 96, after a long, productive and interesting life. A man of many talents, several careers and countless interests, he had a strong influence on the region his newspapers served. His memory will be long treasured by his family and friends.
George was born into a newspaper family in Anthon, Iowa, learning the printing trade from his father, who ran several small papers in the Midwest. He spent his boyhood in Anthon and in Lake Andes, South Dakota with his parents and older brother and sister. After attending college, George moved to Southern California in 1935, where he met and married Mary T. Ward, a beautiful schoolteacher from Laredo, Texas. They had two daughters, Alexandra and Sara, born in Los Angeles.
In 1944 George was editor at the Los Altos News and the Sunnyvale Standard. Starting in 1948 he began a 30 year association with his business partner Joseph C. Houghteling, moving to Gilroy in 1949 as publisher of the Gilroy Dispatch. In 1956 George also became publisher of the Los Gatos Times-Observer, living in Los Gatos for the next 22 years until his 1978 retirement. In the late 1960s he was also concurrently publisher of the Nevada City Nevada County Nugget.
During his Gilroy and Los Gatos years, George was a lively local presence—actively covering local news events, serving on civic committees, Rotary, and many other service and social groups. He was an active member of The Press Club of San Francisco and the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association during this time; his papers winning various awards over the years.
In the 1960s he became involved in efforts to control rampant development in the Bay Area by serving five years as the Santa Clara County delegate on the BCDC, as well as on the Santa Clara Parks Commission during a critical period. George was also involved in the Democratic Party of Santa Clara County.
George’s collection and extensive knowledge of printing and antiquarian books developed into a second career that he enthusiastically pursued after moving to Santa Cruz with Mary in 1978. He was well known in local and national book organizations as a member of ABAA-ILAB, Roxburghe Club, Colophon Club, The Book Club of California, Association Internationale de Bibliophile and several others. He served several years as chairman of the SF Book Fair and the Stanford Book Fair, among others.
In Santa Cruz, he maintained a 27 year association with the University of California, Santa Cruz as Lecturer at Cowell Press—teaching fine printing and book arts classes. He was instrumental in obtaining much of the initial type and equipment and organized various exhibits of student work and his own extensive book and WWI poster collections at the Monterey Art Museum, UCSC galleries and Special Collections, McHenry Library. His life-long interest and skill in printing was also reflected in his 40-plus year membership in Moxon Chappel, a Northern California group of fine printers who regularly convened to share their printing projects.
George had a passion for sailing and was a member of the Santa Cruz Yacht Club for 58 years, joining in 1951 and driving from Gilroy on weekends to sail, when the club was still located on the wharf. George and Mary maintained a beach house in Santa Cruz from the early 1960s which was the scene of many happy memories for family and sailing friends. At the time of his death, he was the oldest former SCYC commodore.
George had a great sense of fun and was known by his friends for his loyalty, wit and humor, sharp dressing style, intelligent conversation, classical piano playing, expertise on the dance floor, zest for arguing liberal viewpoints and friendly enthusiasm. Other talents included playing tennis to his mid-80s, fencing, furniture making, remodeling several Victorian houses, and—in his youth—expertise in sharpshooting and billards.
He and his beloved wife Mary traveled extensively in Europe and the world, sharing interests in music and the arts throughout their 70 years together. Positive in attitude to the end, he did not complain about life’s adversities and will be remembered by his many friends and family for having lived a full life with grace and style.
George is survived by his two daughters, Alexandra Kane of Carmel, Sara Kane and son-in-law John Roberts of Santa Cruz, granddaughter Gillian Hunter, her husband Rory of Edinburgh, Scotland, two great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews. His sister Gracia, brother Herst and parents George F. Kane and Grace M. Kane predeceased him. The family is also grateful to George’s caregivers Angela and Cecilia.
A celebration of George’s life is planned next year on a date to be announced—an event which will also honor his wife Mary, who predeceased him by a year and a month. Should one wish to honor George’s memory, the family would appreciate donations to UCSC Cowell College or McHenry Library Special Collections, care of the UCSC Foundation at 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
Sara Kane is the late George Kane’s daughter. Her sister, Alex Kane, and their friend Mort Levine contributed to this article.
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Dan Pulcrano Fri, Dec 25, 2009 - 3:25 pm
When Lee May and I started the Los Gatos Weekly, we rented part of the 114 Royce Street building from George Kane for our offices. That was four years after George sold the Times-Observer — to Mort Levine, who sold it to the Iowa-based Meredith Corporation. There was great symbolism in occupying the offices that once housed the T-O’s presses.
I think George enjoyed the prank as well. He would come in to the Weekly’s offices to collect the rent and offer advice. One bit I remember was on how use a newspaper to win an election by focusing on an opponent. “Hit ‘em, then hit ‘em again, then hit ‘em again.”
George was a good sailor too, and an opportunity to spend an afternoon with George on the Monterey Bay was time well spent. I’m sure he savored many fine moments staring out over the dark blue water during his more than 30 years of retirement.
John Strand Thu, Apr 22, 2010 - 9:05 pm
I met George Kane when I was a teenager dating his sister’s daughter, Elaine. Gracia was very proud of her brother’s accomplishments and his literary intellect. She wanted me to meet him. I remember him giving me a book…it started my library. I will always appreciate Gracia’s interest in my learning and for her introduction to a brillant man.