Jonathan Prestage, 63, died May 5 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Prestage, who lived in Quincy, was a former editor of the Milton Times.
He was a journalist, reporter, writer, editor and author, and considered himself to be a lifelong student and critic of the media scene.
He began his career in journalism in the Navy after enlisting in 1963. His career spanned many aspects of the media, and included working as an on-camera television reporter, writing for various lifestyle magazines and national newspapers, and working as a senior development writer and editor at Harvard University. He worked as a reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader during the 1970s.
He was educated at Rutgers University and throughout his career earned national and international acclaim, winning four Associated Press and United Press International awards.
Mr. Prestage was passionate about sailing, spending much time on the local waters in his earlier years. He and his wife, Vicky, moved to North Carolina about 10 years ago, sailing their 27-foot sailboat, Zephyrus, from Boston in a challenging, three-week trek of more than 1,000 miles.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Prestage; his stepfather, Ronald Burke; his sister, Claudia Church; his brothers, James Pittaro, Michael Pittaro, Curtis Burke and David Burke; and several nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004.