Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Journalist who advocated for uniting Stanwood dies
STANWOOD — Clifford Danielson, a journalist who returned to run his hometown newspaper in Stanwood for nearly three decades, has died.
Danielson used the editorial page of the Stanwood-Camano News to urge Stanwood and East Stanwood in 1960 to consolidate into one city that would not duplicate services. Family members described him as a friend to farmers who loved attending fairs and enjoyed exploring his Scandinavian roots.
“He was always a gentle person, but I think he could write some fiery editorials, too,” said Shirley Danielson, his wife.
Danielson, 87, died July 29. He worked for newspapers in Anacortes, Langley, Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor before buying the Stanwood-Camano News in 1958. He retired in 1985.
In Stanwood, he’d often have coffee with the postmaster in the morning and spent many nights attending council meetings in the neighboring towns.
“He loved it,” Shirley Danielson said. “He was the old-time newspaper man. He cared about his community.”
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said Danielson was part of “the greatest generation,” growing up on a farm during the Great Depression before serving in World War II and coming home to serve his community.
“He was just a gentleman who was liked by all who met him and loved by all who knew him,” Haugen said.
Even when she disagreed with his opinions on the editorial page, Haugen appreciated Danielson’s reasoning.
“People who were in doubt sort of relied on him,” Haugen said. “They knew he was really being fair.”
When it came to the consolidation of the two small towns, he made people feel as though there were no winners or losers, which helped with the transition, she said.
Born June 2, 1922, as the youngest of 13 children, Danielson grew up in Stanwood and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving as a staff sergeant and tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. After the war, he kept in touch with many members of his crew.
He majored in journalism at the University of Washington before attending the University of Stockholm in Sweden. Later, he and a buddy motorcycled throughout Europe. He married Shirley in 1960 and they had four children.
John Dean, who spent 26 years at the Stanwood-Camano News before being elected to the Island County Commission, remembers when Danielson took a chance by hiring him as a sportswriter in 1979. Dean was a recent California transplant with no reporting experience or journalism degree. Danielson later hired him as the paper’s managing editor.
“He was definitely a mentor in those years,” Dean said.
One of Dean’s prized photos is an image of him at a typewriter as a young reporter with Danielson’s hand on his shoulder.
“He always treated people like a father,” he said. “I always felt that way.”
Over the years, Danielson was a member of the Stanwood Camano Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Sons of Norway, Stanwood City Council, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Council and Josephine Sunset Home Board.
A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 27201 99th Ave NW, Stanwood.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
Danielson used the editorial page of the Stanwood-Camano News to urge Stanwood and East Stanwood in 1960 to consolidate into one city that would not duplicate services. Family members described him as a friend to farmers who loved attending fairs and enjoyed exploring his Scandinavian roots.
“He was always a gentle person, but I think he could write some fiery editorials, too,” said Shirley Danielson, his wife.
Danielson, 87, died July 29. He worked for newspapers in Anacortes, Langley, Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor before buying the Stanwood-Camano News in 1958. He retired in 1985.
In Stanwood, he’d often have coffee with the postmaster in the morning and spent many nights attending council meetings in the neighboring towns.
“He loved it,” Shirley Danielson said. “He was the old-time newspaper man. He cared about his community.”
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said Danielson was part of “the greatest generation,” growing up on a farm during the Great Depression before serving in World War II and coming home to serve his community.
“He was just a gentleman who was liked by all who met him and loved by all who knew him,” Haugen said.
Even when she disagreed with his opinions on the editorial page, Haugen appreciated Danielson’s reasoning.
“People who were in doubt sort of relied on him,” Haugen said. “They knew he was really being fair.”
When it came to the consolidation of the two small towns, he made people feel as though there were no winners or losers, which helped with the transition, she said.
Born June 2, 1922, as the youngest of 13 children, Danielson grew up in Stanwood and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving as a staff sergeant and tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. After the war, he kept in touch with many members of his crew.
He majored in journalism at the University of Washington before attending the University of Stockholm in Sweden. Later, he and a buddy motorcycled throughout Europe. He married Shirley in 1960 and they had four children.
John Dean, who spent 26 years at the Stanwood-Camano News before being elected to the Island County Commission, remembers when Danielson took a chance by hiring him as a sportswriter in 1979. Dean was a recent California transplant with no reporting experience or journalism degree. Danielson later hired him as the paper’s managing editor.
“He was definitely a mentor in those years,” Dean said.
One of Dean’s prized photos is an image of him at a typewriter as a young reporter with Danielson’s hand on his shoulder.
“He always treated people like a father,” he said. “I always felt that way.”
Over the years, Danielson was a member of the Stanwood Camano Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Sons of Norway, Stanwood City Council, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Council and Josephine Sunset Home Board.
A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 27201 99th Ave NW, Stanwood.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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