Hugh Fraser a prominent figure in DC Thomson’s newspapers whose career spanned almost 50 years, has died at the age of 92.
He was news editor of The Sunday Post for more than a decade before becoming editorial manager (newspapers), the post from which he retired in 1989.
A former pupil of Harris Academy, he held the distinction of having been the Dundee school’s oldest known ex-captain.
In that capacity, he had been invited to cut the ribbon at the ceremony later this year to mark the school’s reopening after its £31 million reconstruction.
His son Garry said: “My father was very proud of his Harris connections and regarded it as a privilege to have been asked to take part in the reopening ceremony.
“As well as the oldest known former captain of Harris, he was also one of its oldest former pupils.
“It is a shame that he did not live to see the formal reopening of Harris. Our family are very grateful to the school for having asked him to such an important occasion.”
As a journalist on a busy news desk, Mr Fraser’s judgment was valued by colleagues.
He was also noted for his calm and unflappable manner, qualities he later brought to bear in his editorial management role.
Joining DC Thomson in Dundee straight from Harris in 1941 at the age of 17, his first post was on the editorial staff of The Evening Telegraph where he became chief sub-editor.
In 1969 he transferred to The Sunday Post as news editor and later became editorial manager with responsibilities across all of the company’s newspaper titles.
During the Second World War he volunteered for RAF aircrew, trained in Canada and then flew Lancasters with Bomber Command, reaching the rank of warrant officer.
After demob he returned to his interests at his old school and played for the former pupils’ football club.
He was also secretary and president of the Harris FP tennis club.
He was a life member at Alyth Golf Club where he played for more than 50 years and served as captain.
Mr Fraser and wife Athena, who lived in the west end of Dundee, have two sons, Garry and Stuart.