Harry Kirkpatrick

My father Harry Kirkpatrick, who has died aged 79, masterminded the move of a north-west of England newspaper group from hot metal printing to computerisation.

When G&AN Scott Ltd, publishers of the Rochdale Observer for 121 years, was bought by the Guardian and Manchester Evening News in 1975, he was made joint managing director, leading to sole managing director in 1979. Having earlier expanded and modernised the revenue-producing advertising department, he planned and implemented the technological changeover. He also strengthened the group by adding three further titles.

In 1982 he was appointed deputy chairman, retiring in 1988. Colleagues described him as "firm but fair, far sighted, a true gent, a real newspaperman, and someone who would be greatly missed by all those whose life he touched".

Harry was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, and after a brief period working in insurance, served as a Merchant Navy radio officer during the second world war. He then chose a career in advertising and joined the Ashton-Under-Lyne Reporter. He moved to the Manchester Evening Chronicle and then the Rochdale Observer Group with the remit to "come up with some new ideas".

Harry was an active member of the Rotary Club and worked unstintingly for Macmillan Cancer Relief, for which he received recognition from the Duchess of Kent, the charity's patron.

Following retirement, he went into business with his son-in-law Richard, and former Rochdale councillor Ray Colley, starting Brakes International, a brake/clutch factoring business in Rochdale, which still flourishes. Apart from an interest in golf, he was a member of Norden Cricket Club and the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Susan and Jill and sons-in-law Ian and Richard.

· Has someone you know died since December who should feature in Other lives? Please send contributions of up to 500 words to: Other lives, Obituaries, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER, email other.lives@guardian.co.uk or fax 0207 837 4530, with your telephone number.