Longtime Ohio newspaper publisher John F. Wolfe dies at 72

COLUMBUS (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 today at a Columbus hospital. One of his family’s stations, WBNS-TV, reports Wolfe had battled cancer for two years.

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.

He is credited with helping bring professional hockey and soccer teams to Columbus.

Gov. John Kasich says Wolfe was “on the front lines of everything that mattered.”

Wolfe is survived by his wife, Ann; three daughters; two sons-in-law; and five grandchildren.