It was with sorrow that we learned Monday that Gov. Albert Rosellini had succumbed at the ripe old age of 101. The son of Italian immigrants, Albert Rosellini was governor when I first arrived in this state. He served two terms in office from 1957-64 but then was a force in contemporary politics, a mentor to such other notable political figures as Gov. Booth Gardner, Sen. Patty Murray, and Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Among my colleagues on the Seattle Times, I often recall my late friend Don Hannula, who covered four decades of state government, insisting that “Governor Al,” as he called him, was “the best governor Washington had ever had.” Certainly the governor left the state a rich legacy, nurturing our mental health and public institutions. He strongly supported higher education, especially at the University of Washington and the state’s much admired community college system.

He started supporting his family when he was seven, working throughout his school years and passing the bar at 23. That strong work ethic served him well. Even after reaching his 90th birthday, he remained active, showing up at his office every day, piloting a white Cadillac (vanity license plate “GOV ADR”) and willingly accepting such public tasks as chairmanship of a U. S. Olympics Committee. Again I remember Hannula’s accolade: “He got things done.”