Donald Courtnay

With his booming and inviting voice, he began a radio career in Salt Lake City in the 1940s. During the 1950s he moved to Seattle, where he became a widely recognized voice-over artist through his work with KING and KIRO television and KJR radio station. He later became general manager of KCPQ television in Seattle.

"He was, of course, the freelance voice in town," said colleague Dean Smith, who met him in 1962 and worked with him at KJR. "If there were 10 voice-overs to do in town, he would probably do nine of them. He had a wonderful voice and was the type of guy you could just respect."

Among his accomplishments, Mr. Courtnay is best recognized as the voice of Safeway for 19 years, with his signature line in commercials: "Shop Safeway — you'll see!"

Read the entire Seattle Times article here:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008067321_courtnayobit23m.html

Early & later pictures:

http://www.memorialobituaries.com/memorials/obits_display.cgi?action=viewobit&me mid=192890

Growing up in Seattle I'm sure I would recognize his voice, but I can't place it. If anyone has audio, I would love to hear it.

I definitely remember Don, especially from those Safeway commercials when I was a kid.

But one correction, Craig... Don was indeed GM of Channel 13 for a while, but not KCPQ. He managed the station when it was KTVW, during late 1960s and early 1970s. I think Don started there when it was for sale after J. Elroy McCaw's passing and then stayed on as GM when Blaidon Mutual Investors Corp. owned it for a time and tried -- unsuccessfully -- to make a go of it.