Slain workers dedicated to jobs, community, colleagues say
Family and colleagues remembered the five people killed in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history. The employees killed Thursday at the Annapolis paper were Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters. • Former colleagues of Gerald Fischman, the editorial page editor at the Capital Gazette, roundly described the veteran journalist as reserved, precise and exceptionally talented.
“Gerald was the most brilliant editorial writer I’ve ever known,” said Dan Casey, a former reporter at the paper.
Fischman, who won annual awards for his editorial writing like clockwork, was socially awkward but in an “endearing” way, Casey said. • Journalist Rob Hiaasen’s family is “devastated” by his death, said his brother, author Carl Hiaasen.
Carl Hiaasen, a longtime columnist for the Miami Herald, confirmed that his brother, also a columnist and an editor, was one of the Annapolis victims.
“He was the most remarkable person. So gifted and talented and dedicated to journalism,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. • John McNamara was a longtime employee of the newspaper who had worked as a sports writer and copy editor and moved more recently to a weekly publication, the Bowie BladeNews, colleague David Broughton said.
Broughton, the paper’s sports editor, said he had worked with McNamara since 1994 and sat in a neighbouring cubicle.
“He could have an intelligent conversation about anything, whether it was politics or travel or English literature.” • Rebecca Smith was a sales assistant at the Capital Gazette.
Her boss, Capital Gazette advertising director Marty Padden, described her as a thoughtful person who made sure the sales office ran smoothly.
“She was kind and considerate, and willing to help when needed. She seemed to really enjoy ... working in the media business,” Padden said. • Special publications editor Wendi Winters was “the heart of the newspaper,” said Steve Gunn, a former editor of the paper. Winters was passionate about serving the community and was a role model for younger journalists, he recalled.
“She was in many ways the best part of the newspaper in that she cared so much about the city.”