FAMILY, friends and members of WA’s media and business community gathered on Monday to farewell media pioneer Sir James Cruthers at Perth’s St George’s Cathedral.
In an emotional tribute to a great man who helped “shape WA in the post-war period”, Sir James was remembered as a media giant, a visionary, a dedicated philanthropist and a beloved father and grandfather.
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the ceremony which recalled Sir James’ achievements and gave an insight into his “deep and abiding” commitment to humanity and the community.
Former premier Richard Court, former Perth lord mayor Peter Nattrass and businessman Nigel Satterly were among the mourners.
Sir James was a chairman of The Sunday Times and he pioneered Perth’s first television station — TVW Channel Seven — in 1958, later working as News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch’s personal assistant in New York.
As a young man, Sir James served in the RAAF.
At his funeral service, his son, John Cruthers, remembered his father as a great man who “loved the world of newspapers” and was committed to helping his community — but still took the time to take his children to swimming training every morning for years.
His father’s drive came from his grandmother, who told Sir James as a young boy “Help people, Jimmy.”
Sir James was not a religious man but chose to value “life, goodness and loving kindness,” his son said. “Farewell dad, fly straight and true’’.
Former premier Richard Court at the service.Source:News Limited
Sam Cruthers recalled his grandfather as a man who looked for the good in every situation, a man who had a “ferocious work ethic” and a phrase for every situation.
“It’s been very hard to see him fade but the essential Pop still shined through,” he said.
Colleague Bill McKenzie spoke of Sir James’ passion for the media — a passion for journalism that began when he started work at the Daily News aged just 14.
Professor Ian Constable, of the Lions Eye Institute, recalled Sir James as a “unique” philanthropist, whose life’s work included founding Western Australia’s most successful charity, Telethon, and launched the annual Christmas Pageant.
A Last Post and Reveille was played to honour Sir James’ military service.
Sir James succumbed to pneumonia at a Salter Point nursing home on October 13 at the age of 90. His wife, Lady Sheila Cruthers, died in 2012.
His family says although he suffered from dementia, he was in relatively good health until recent weeks. Sir James is survived by his children John and Sue and grandchildren Sam and Theodore.
WA TV Pioneer and philanthropist Sir James Cruthers. Picture: AMMPT.Source:Supplied
Originally published as Final farewell for Sir James Cruthers
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