Peter Kaye, an award-winning newsman and advisor to presidential candidates, died June 15 at his home in Del Mar. He was 87.

A journalism career that spanned decades and started at a small newspaper in Alhambra led to the national stage during the early 1970s, when he covered the Senate Watergate hearings for public television. The coverage earned a national Emmy.

Through the decades, he served on the presidential campaigns of Richard M. Nixon and Gerald Ford and the gubernatorial campaign of Houston Fournoy.

Kaye was press secretary for Pete Wilson's first campaign for mayor of San Diego.

His stints in politics funneled back to the newsroom of the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he retired in 1993 after 17 years as associate editor.

After retiring from the newspaper in 1993, Kaye worked briefly as editorial director for San Diego's NBC affiliate. He wrote a weekly column - Ocean View - for the North County Times and was active with the Friends of the Del Mar Library.

His greatest joy was his family. In retirement, he delighted in the company of his grandchildren.

During his final years, Kaye dedicated himself to care of his wife, Marti, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008.

Kaye is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marti; three sons, Loren of Sacramento, Terry of Torrance, and Adam of Del Mar; and five grandchildren. Services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association, San Diego chapter, Shiley Center for Education and Support, 6632 Convoy Court, San Diego 92111.