WSJ editor Murray remembers Paul Ingrassia

Wall Street Journal editor in chief Matt Murray sent out the following announcement on Monday:

Dear All:

It is with profound sadness that I share the news that Paul Ingrassia, one of the greatest journalists and leaders in the history of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones, passed away this morning at age 69 after battling pancreatic cancer.

In his highly distinguished career, Paul racked up many significant achievements and held numerous important roles, many of them here at Dow Jones. One of the most knowledgeable and impactful automotive reporters of all time, he served as the Journal’s bureau chief in Detroit, where, in 1993, he and Joe White won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on turmoil at General Motors Corp.

Paul eventually became president of Dow Jones Newswires. In subsequent years, he was managing editor of Thomson Reuters. Recently, he had served as a member of the Dow Jones Special Committee

The resume tells only a part of the story. As all who knew him can attest, Paul was one of the kindest, most decent people who ever walked through the doors of this company. He touched many lives with his wisdom, humility and generosity. No one was more committed to the very highest principles of integrity, fairness, accuracy and insight that represent the best journalism.

Paul displayed fortitude, courage, humor and an inspirational and indomitable spirit again and again over the last two decades while enduring several cancer treatments. In 2016, when the Loeb Foundation presented him the lifetime achievement award for financial journalism, he referred to his health struggles, saying: “I often think that my biggest lifetime achievement is simply having a lifetime.” Tragically, his son, Charlie, passed away from cancer just last February.

Paul is survived by his wife, Susan, as well as two sons, a grandson and his younger brother, our longtime colleague Larry Ingrassia, who himself had a long career at the Journal. It can truly be said that Dow Jones itself is part of Paul’s legacy. His passing is a loss for his family, for all his former colleagues and for journalism, and his loved ones are very much in our prayers. But we also are grateful for the example he set for all of us and know that his spirit will live on.

Sadly,
Matt