Longtime Ohio newspaper publisher John F. Wolfe dies at 72
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Longtime Ohio newspaper publisher John F. Wolfe, whose family sold The Columbus Dispatch last year and still owns television and radio stations, has died at age 72.
Wolfe died Friday at a Columbus hospital. One of his family's stations, WBNS-TV, reports Wolfe had battled cancer for two years.
Wolfe is credited with helping bring professional hockey and soccer teams to Columbus and his family was a minority owner in the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Political and business leaders praise him as a champion of central Ohio who disliked the spotlight but used his businesses, philanthropy and behind-the-scenes influence to help shape the capital, his hometown. His family owned the Dispatch for 110 years.
Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) says Wolfe was ''on the front lines of everything that mattered.''
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says Wolfe was devoted to his hometown and touched many lives with his philanthropy.
Wolfe is survived by his wife, Ann; three daughters; two sons-in-law; and five grandchildren.
