Described as a "truly professional journalist," George W. Steele started his newspaper career as a copy boy at the Charleston Gazette in West Virginia in 1965. [ GEORGE W. STEELE / 1946-2003 ]
Veteran journalist cared
deeply for Star-BulletinBy Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.com
Steele, a wire editor and copy editor at the Star-Bulletin for 22 years, was found dead yesterday in his Makiki apartment. He was 56.
George Steele: The Star-Bulletin newsroom was like his home, and the staff was his family
Born in 1946, Steele came to Hawaii as a Gannett Fellow in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii in 1978. He worked briefly for United Press International in Honolulu before returning to his native West Virginia in 1980. He stayed for only one winter before accepting a job as wire editor at the Star-Bulletin in 1981.
"The rhythm and life in Hawaii fit his spirit," said Kathy Hull, a cousin. "He was just a very wonderful man and a beloved family member."
Star-Bulletin Editor Frank Bridgewater said: "He was a friend to everyone in the newsroom, who always had a joke -- not necessarily a good one -- to share.
"George cared immensely about the Star-Bulletin and routinely went beyond his assigned duties to help make the paper better," he added.
"To George, the newsroom really was his home, and the staff was his family," said Assistant Sports Editor Sjarif Goldstein. "He treated me like a son. I learned a lot about being a journalist from him. But he was also a class clown of sorts. He'd give everyone from the top on down a good ribbing, but he was his own biggest target. He was one of those who really made the newsroom a community, and he will be missed as much as anyone would be."
Lucy Witeck, president of the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, said Steele had served on the executive committee of the union for several years.
"He was a staunch union member," she said.
At the Charleston Gazette, he worked his way up covering police, courts and education and became assistant city editor in 1977.
"He wrote like a dream," said Mary Hogue, a former wife in Charleston. "He covered many interesting assignments and also things that bothered him ... like mine disasters."
Steele is survived by an uncle and aunt in West Virginia and numerous cousins on the mainland. Services are pending.
See also: Obituaries
