William Scanlan

William H. Scanlan

1941-2014 WILLIAMSTOWN William H. Scanlan, who worked on newspapers in Alaska, Louisiana, New England and Germany, died of congestive heart failure at his home in Williamstown, Mass., December 8, 2014. He was 73. Scanlan improved the writing of reporters and crafted eye-catching headlines while working on newspaper copydesks around the world for nearly 50 years. He worked for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska, The Stars and Stripes in Darmstadt, Germany, The Worcester Telegram, and the Daily Town Talk in Alexandria, La. before settling in his beloved Berkshires. He worked at The Berkshire Eagle for 17 years before retiring in 1997. One memorable headline he wrote at the News-Miner had to do with backup of the sewer system in the small Bering Sea village of Unalakleet. His headline: "Things ain't so sweet "In Unalakleet" He was a man of relatively few words and his sense of humor was as dry as tinder. Often, when talking with a reporter about careless writing or sloppy reporting, he would offer a brief summation, then raise an admonitory finger while slowly shaking his head and grinning, and with a gruffness in his voice would say: "Now let that be a lesson to you." Scanlan's skills also included the laying out of the newspaper. He could make up a page with incredible speed and accuracy. He was admired by both editorial and production employees. He had a fierce commitment to journalistic integrity and independence. If he believed there was interference from the business side or a lack of concern for a quality product, he would quit on short notice. He was a voracious reader who rejected most new technology. He spent hours at the Williamstown library. He liked to hang out at Tunnel City Coffee and the old Purple Pub in Williamstown. In recent years he frequented the Man of Kent Tavern in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. During the racing season, his version of a perfect day was to take in the races at Saratoga with friends and cap it off with a stop at that popular English pub. Scanlan was born in El Paso, Texas on August 3, 1941, but spent most of his younger years growing up in Lynn, Mass. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1962 after gradating from high school. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1966. FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service and burial will take place in Williamstown in the Spring. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Dorothy Scanlan, and his brother, James "Dick" Scanlan. His former wife, Kay Scanlan, lives in Vermont.