Obit

Gelb, 90

AMERICAN JOURNALIST and newspaper editor Arthur Gelb died from complications of a stroke last May 20. He was 90.

Gelb started his career as a copy boy for The New York Times in 1944. He then became its chief cultural correspondent, metropolitan editor, deputy managing editor, and managing editor. He retired in 1989. (Arthur Gelb, Critic and Editor Who Shaped the Times, Dies at 90, The New York Times)

Working as top editor for the Times, Gelb helped introduce daily sections on culture, science, dining, and sports. (Obits this week, Bloomberg)

Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, said in a blog: “Arthur Gelb was a master builder, the Robert Moses of newspapering. His eyes danced when he told stories about dreaming up the multi-sectioned New York Times. His daring creativity helped save the newspaper at an earlier secular choke point that was every bit as life-threatening as the transition from print to digital happening now.” (Remembering Arthur Gelb, Huffington Post)

“Arthur Gelb, known as “The Arthurian Legend,” had that constant, overflowing, generous engagement. The world was always putting its hooks in him, and he was always putting his hooks in the world.” (Maureen Dowd: Engaging the legend of Arthur Gelb, Times Union)

MacAndrew, 81

CANADIAN JOURNALIST Jack MacAndrew died of cancer last May 23. He was 81.

MacAndrew was a columnist for the Eastern Graphic newspaper. He was also a journalist, writer, producer, and host for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. (Jack MacAndrew, journalist, broadcaster and theatre producer, dies, CBC News)

He covered two Springhill mine disasters for CBC. (Former broadcaster, journalist passes away in Charlottetown, Amherst News)

Gary MacDougall, managing editor of The Guardian, said: “For many years, on various media platforms, Jack told it like he saw it when it came to public affairs. He was a man of strong opinions, and a good man to have in your corner when it came to advocating what was proper and right for his beloved Prince Edward Island.”  (Jack MacAndrew loses his battle with cancer, The Guardian)

Paul MacNeill, Eastern Graphic publisher, said: “He had such a power with the language. I mean he was the sharpest man at turning a phrase I have ever met. When he pointed toward a target with his words, he won.”