While doing some research for an upcoming article about Reporter’s former editors in chief, I happened upon an obituary for Philip Fraga, the last editor of the newspaper incarnation of Reporter (in 1968). He passed away on Christmas day, last month, at the age of 63. He died of pancreatic cancer.
I never met the man, but I worked in his office, I sat at his desk, and I do what he did: make the magazine. I guess I like to think of him and the many others who have held this job as grandparents I’ve never met.
Philip Fraga went on from this job to become a combat photographer for the U.S. Navy. He had a family. He went into advertising. He lived in Virginia. The choices he made, the places he went, the genes in his body, all brought him to December 25, 2009.
So if you would excuse this indulgence, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say goodbye to one of Reporter’s own. I’m not a very devout man, by any means (see “Letters to the Editor”), but I’d like to believe that there’s something else after death — some great newsroom in the sky. Whatever it is, I’m sure Philip is there.
Reporter’s condolences and prayers go out to the Fraga family. Farewell, Philip.
Andy Rees
Editor in Chief
Comments
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Thu, Jan 28 2010 @ 10:30 pm |
I was "hired" as photo editor of the Reporter by Phil in a much different environment than today's RIT. We were in the basement of the old Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute building and yet we actually had a few windows :)
Phil Fraga was a real gentle man and mentor to the staff. He will be missed. |
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Bob Kiger |
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Fri, Jan 29 2010 @ 12:02 am |
I was the Reporter's art editor and cartoonist at the time, and encouraged Bob Kiger to come into the office to meet Phil. Phil and I rented a townhouse with 2 other RIT pals, located a few miles from the "new campus." The campus' move was delayed a year, so we all had to commute by car to the "old" campus to attend classes and work on the Reporter.
I am truly saddened to hear of Phil's passing.
To catch some vintage photos of Phil, Bob, myself and some of the other staffers, go to:
http://www.nhcommentary.com/Reporter_Magazine_Roc...
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David Folkman |
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Thu, Sep 16 2010 @ 11:28 pm |
Thank you for your wonderful Editor's Note - all of us were truly touched by your words. My father often spoke of his time with RIT and had especially fond memories of working on the newspaper - he would really light up whenever he spoke of his friends, and we loved to hear the stories! Thank you, also, to Mr. Kiger and Mr. Folkman, for your posts - they meant a lot to us.
Pop passed away peacefully in the pre-dawn hours of Christmas after a 28 month long battle with pancreatic cancer - we were lucky to have him for as long as we did; he was a quietly tough guy and made it longer than most with that disease. I'm not particularly devout myself, but I also feel that he probably is in some great newsroom somewhere as those were some of his favorite times. He would have been touched by your words as well - thank you, again.
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Michaela Gelven |
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