MELBOURNE: Vale John Mott
Fourth generation newspaper identity John Mott has died at age 98.
Mr Mott was Publisher of the Leader Newspaper group until 1986. That company’s flagship masthead was the Northcote Leader, and other northern suburbs titles included the Brunswick Sentinel, Coburg Courier, Preston Post, Northern Times, Whittlesea Post, Diamond Valley News, Heidelberger and Doncaster-Templestowe News.
Born in 1926, Mr Mott had lived in East Preston, was son of former City of Preston Mayor George Mott and Mona (nee Stewart). He had attended Northcote High School.
He was married for 69 years to Margaret, who predecased him. He was father to Julie (and partner Julie), David (Sally) and Andrew (Elowyn).
A family tribute described him as a “man of integrity and action; skilled woodworker and singer … a model figure in all our lives”.
The family said that Mr Mott was “kind, patient, wise, humble and generous – and a true gentleman to all”.