Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Sylvan Fox, Dies of Pneumonia
Extraordinary reporter, editor and Pulitzer Prize winner, Sylvan Fox, succumbed to complications from pneumonia on December 22. He was a reporter and editor for The New York Times, Newsday, The New York World – Telegram & The Sun during his lifetime.
He was the first “rewrite†man to receive a Pulitzer after working on a news story about an airplane that crashed on Long Island on March 1, 1962 that killed all 95 passengers. Within 30 minutes of the crash, Sylvan had written a complete article based on the facts submitted to him over the phone by colleagues at the site. He then rewrote the article for seven more editions of the paper which cumulated into a 3000 word article within 90 minutes from the crash.
Sylvan Fox originally studied to be a classical pianist, going to Juilliard School of Music before deciding to change majors from piano to musical composition. It was here he met and married his now wife, Gloria Endleman. Fox then left Juilliard, and finished a Philosophy degree at Brooklyn College. He continued his education at University of California, Berkeley – receiving a Masters in Musicology.
Sylvan eventually made his way to The Times where he ended up having his very first story covering a bank robbery in Brooklyn land on the front page with his byline.
Sylvan Fox leaves behind his wife, Gloria Fox and his daughter, Erica. Many throughout New York and the newspaper business are mourning the loss of this great man. Condolences and sympathy wishes have been expressed to the Fox family over the last two weeks. For more information on writing proper condolence letters, read “A Letter to your Loved Ones – Properly Writing and Sending Condolence Letters.”
You can read Sylvan Fox’s online obituary at Newsday.
