W. Roger Davidson, a tenacious businessman who steered The Royal Gazette’s parent company through some of its most significant decades, has died at the age of 78.

An ardent believer in the free press, Mr Davidson oversaw the newspaper’s evolution to modern printing and guided key business decisions across more than 40 years on the board of Bermuda Press (Holdings) Ltd.

Joining the company in 1965, at the age of 28, Mr Davidson swiftly ascended the ranks, becoming vice-president a year later and president in the year after.

Under his tenure, the company made the leap from traditional hot metal typesetting to modern printing and branched into commercial real estate and other businesses that proved crucial for its endurance. He retired in 2008.

“The Royal Gazette has been serving Bermuda for close to 190 years, and was struggling in the 1960s when my father and his peers got involved to modernise both the organisation and its outlook,” said his son, Stephen Davidson, who is the vice-chairman of the board.

“Dad had a heartfelt belief in the importance of a strong and independent newspaper for Bermuda. Some of my earliest memories are of late-night visits with my father to watch the print runs at the grimy old Linotype presses next to the bus terminal, followed by the change to the modern new facility on Par-la-Ville Road.

“His commitment to The Royal Gazette remained undiminished through the decades. He cared deeply about the media’s civic role in Bermuda — it went far beyond the operation of the actual business.”

Mr Davidson joined when the newspaper, along with the Mid-Ocean News, was printed at its headquarters on Reid Street, on presses acquired from The Gleaner, in Jamaica.

New presses were bought and the newspaper rehoused on Par-la-Ville Road, with the new premises officially opening in 1974. Later, Mr Davidson led the move to branch out with real estate. Leases for the Colombia House property, and particularly Crown House on Par-la-Ville Road, were decisive in restoring the company’s finances.

Mr Davidson also devoted his career to the iconic department store, HA & E Smith’s, rising from costing clerk to menswear buyer to president. At the height of business, it employed more than 200 people and Mr Davidson travelled the globe purchasing its luxury stock.

Among the close relationships he forged with major international manufacturing families, Mr Davidson linked up with the Cheung family in Hong Kong, which supplied Smith’s custom-knitted garments. He was also closely involved with its outlets in Charlottesville and Alexandria, Virginia, which ran for nearly 20 years.

An enthusiast for local history with a keen knowledge of old Bermuda maps, Mr Davidson also used his travels to seek out rare editions featuring the island,

He led moves to reposition Smith’s as falling tourism numbers hit its business.

He sought to implement policy changes, including amendments to import and sales tax, and allowing local retailers to partner with international brands, in an attempt to make the island more competitive.

Smith’s was sold in 2003 to its rival, Trimingham’s. Although the combined operation closed for good in 2005, HA & E Smith Ltd endures as a real estate management company.

Board member Dudley Cottingham recalled Mr Davidson as “first and foremost, a family man — he was very much a business person who did not suffer fools lightly; he knew what he wanted and was very determined, but he put family first”.

He added: “Along with Arthur Morris, a senior partner who was his lifelong friend, he was passionate about maintaining a high-quality newspaper for Bermuda, and ensuring its survival.”

Mr Davidson’s business interests ranged far: he served as a director of the Bank of NT Butterfield, Argus Insurance, West Pembroke Holdings — previously the Bermuda Bakery — Bermuda Broadcasting Company, Aurum Fund Management and Mutual Insurance, one of the largest providers of libel insurance for North American newspapers and other media.

Jonathan Howes, chief executive of Bermuda Press Holdings, said the company family had been deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

“He became president at a time when the group was in financial difficulty, and set the path with his other colleagues to establish a long-term plan and the financial viability of the group,” Mr Howes said.

“He cared passionately about the organisation and its staff, and was a pleasure to work with. He will be truly missed.”

Steve Thomson, chairman of the board, remembered Mr Davidson hiring him as a 15-year-old for a summer job in the men’s department at Smith’s.

“He was a tremendously loyal person and very much a gentleman,” Mr Thomson said.

“The company we serve now would not exist without him.

“He was around the printing presses from an early age; it was in his blood.

“Not only did he end up being a friend, he was a great mentor who remained a good counsel and sounding board after he stepped down.”

Christopher Whittle, who succeeded Mr Davidson after his retirement, said the company’s meagre assets had totalled about £12,000 when Mr Davidson took the helm.

“Under Roger’s leadership, we turned it around,” Mr Whittle said. “He was an inspiration, very determined, and the newspaper was his pride and joy. He saw it as the conscience of the community. The survival of Bermuda depended on it.

“It was in everyone’s best interests to have a strong and independent Royal Gazette and he lived for that. He was also a role model for anyone in business or personal life.”

As a testament to Mr Davidson’s legacy, the Bermuda Press renamed Colombia House, on the corner of Burnaby Street and Reid Street, home to the Stationery Store, in his honour.

William Roger Davidson is survived by his wife, Lee, his son, Stephen, and his daughter, Jennifer.