Former Times obituary writer Craig Basse dead at 77

Craig Basse, editor and obituary writer at the St. Petersburg Times for more than  three decades, died Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Hospital after a battle with several cancers. He was 77.

Mr. Basse was born in Tennessee and was editor of his college newspaper at the University of Arkansas. He spent 17 years as an editor with the Associated Press before joining the Times in 1972.

He was known for his quiet demeanor, his dedication and old-fashioned journalism values. Colleagues said Mr. Basse was able to pull details from several reporters and weave them into a clear story on deadline.

As obituary editor, he edited the Times' daily funeral announcements and wrote story obituaries numbering in the thousands on subjects notable and obscure.

"He was the consummate professional, steady and unflappable" said Paul Tash, chairman, CEO and editor of the St. Petersburg Times. "He honored the humanity of countless people with dedication to the record of their lives. But I suspect he would find his own passing unremarkable."

Services will be private.

Stephanie Hayes, Times staff writer