Lewis Katz, the co-owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, philly.com and the Phiadelphia Daily News, was among seven people killed in a plane crash in Massachusetts on Saturday.
As previously reported, the Federal Aviation Administration said that the Gulfstream IV was taking off at Hanscom Field. It ran off the runway and caught fire, never getting into the air Saturday night. Its destination was Atlantic City.
None of the seven people on board survived. Katz, 72, was just one of the many high-profile passengers on the plane, notes The Philadelphia Inquirer. Drew A. Katz Foundation executive director Marcella M. Dalsey, 59, was among the passengers. She was also the president of the KATZ Academy Charter School, which she co-founded with Katz, and a mother of four children.
Susan K. Asbell, 68, was also a guest of Katz and a Boys and Girls Club of Camden County planning committee member. Anne B. Leeds, 74, a retired schoolteacher, was also on the plane as a guest of Katz’s. The pilot and crew’s names were not released.
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was invited to join Katz on the flight, but declined, a spokesman for Rendell confirmed.
According to The Associated Press, Katz and H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest bought the Inquirer, the Daily News and philly.com just last week for $88 million.
“That guy did a lot with his heart,” former President Bill Clinton said of Katz. “I'll never forget that as long as I live.” Clinton was just one of many who remembered Katz for his philanthropy. He recently pledged $25 million to his alma mater, Temple University.
“We all deeply mourn the loss of my true friend,” Lenfest said in a statement. Drew Katz, 42, will replace his father on the Inquirer’s board.
“He taught me everything. He never forgot where and how he grew up and he worked tirelessly to support his community in countless ways that were seen and unseen,” Drew Katz said. “His sudden passing adds to our family's grief over the recent passing of our beloved mother, Marjorie Katz. We will miss both of them tremendously but will work to carry on the enormous legacy that they both created.”