PORT ANGELES — Longtime community supporter and former Peninsula Daily News publisher John Brewer has passed away.

Brewer drowned after his boat flipped while fishing in Montana on Friday. He was on an annual fishing trip with his longtime friend Clallam County Commissioner Randy Johnson. Johnson says the boat Brewer was in hit a submerged log and flipped over. Two others were rescued, but Brewer drowned.

The career journalist came to Port Angeles to take over as publisher in 1998 and stayed until his retirement in 2015. Prior to that, he served as bureau chief for the Associated Press in Los Angeles and New York.  While working in Seattle, he was pivotal in coverage of the eruption of Mount St. Helens. At his time in Los Angeles, he helped shape coverage of the 1984 Olympics. He then became chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of the New York Times Syndication Sales.

But Brewer was also an active member of the local community. He served as the president of the Port Angeles Business Association and Chamber of Commerce. He was also an active member of the Port Angeles Kiwanis Club and the Nor’Wester Rotary Club.

Brewer became a quick friend to nearly all who knew him and was always willing to lend support to a wide array of community causes.

In a statement from Radio Pacific, Inc and former owner-publisher of the Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum Brown Maloney said: “As an immensely caring and engaged person, there could have never been a better selection for Peninsula Daily News publisher than John Brewer.   Although we were competitor’s first, that quickly disappeared due to John’s love for journalism, fairness, accuracy and above all, his relentless drive to do the right thing.  A man with values I hold in high regard. John will be sorely missed by me.  His presence and influence in the community likely irreplaceable”.

Brewer was 76. He is survived by Barbara Wise, two sons, and two brothers.

Newsradio KONP will devote time during our “Morning Scramble” at 8:30 AM Monday to pay tribute to Brewer.