BOSTON -- George A. Speers, the first chairman of Northeastern University's department of journalism, died of cancer Sunday at Beth Israel Hospital. He was 60.
Speers, a well-known figure in New England press circles, was a native of the Boston area. Born in Jamaica Plain, he lived in Needham at the time of his death.
A graduate of Northeastern, Speers received a masters degree from that institution in education and another masters from Boston University in journalism.
Before his appointment as chairman of the Northeastern journalism department, Speers worked for 14 years as director of Northeastern's press bureau. Speers stepped down as department chairman this year to resume teaching.
The Northeastern University Journalism Alumni Association recently honored Speers for his work at the school for 30 years.
In 1972, Speers was named United States chairman of the International Press Study Missions. He organized and directed trips to Europe and South America under the auspices of the group.
Speers was a member of numerous organizations, including the American Alumni County, the American College Public Relations Association, the Society of Professional Engineers, the National Newspaper Association and the Massachusetts Publishers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Gilda; two daughters, Amy and Carrie, both of Newton Center; a brother, Arnold Speers of Hull; and his mother, Mrs. George Speers of Hollywood, Calif.
Memorial survices will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Northeastern's Bacon Memorial Chapel in the Carl S. Ell Student Center.
