I've been working in journalism for more than 20 years. And without a doubt, the most impressive accomplishment  I've witnessed in this field  was Dave Watson's five-part series called "Rambling into eternity", which appeared in the Georgia Straight last year.

Most readers knew Dave as  a witty guy who had a column about technology in the Straight. After he was diagnosed with cancer, he asked if he could write a few health articles to let people know what it's like to live with the disease.

I wasn't sure how good  these pieces  would be. Dave was taking a great deal of medication to deal with his pain.  I told him he didn't have to write to the usual length. At the outset, it felt like we were doing a favour to him, but we owed him one after all his years of service to the paper.

It was like granting a dying  man his  final wish.

Then the first column came in. I was bowled over by the quality. It was incredible that a guy suffering from terminal cancer could write so elegantly, with so many wry insights, and with such a soft, humorous touch.  Four more columns came in, each offering new stunning insights into what it was like for Dave to spend his final days with terminal cancer. It was probably the best work of his life.

I spoke to people with cancer who expressed their appreciation for Dave's columns. Finally, somebody was telling the story from their perspective.

Dave died shortly after submitting his fifth and final column.  He put off taking his pain medication so he could keep his mind clear enough to write.

Last night,  Dave won a silver prize in the Service: Health & Family category at the National Magazine Awards annual dinner. The Straight has won lots of journalism awards over the years, but for most of us, this one is easily  the most satisfying. Well done, Dave.

There are links to  each article in the series  below, as well as a link to Charles Campbell's fine obituary.

Rambling into eternity isn't what I expected

Rambling into eternity: Part 2

Rambling into eternity: Part 3

Rambling into eternity: Part 4

Rambling into eternity: Part 5

His rambling now over, Dave Watson left us laughing