Former Fort Wayne Newspapers president, CEO dies after decades-long newspaper career

Philip “Phil” de Montmollin Jr., 85, passed away on Dec. 8, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Phil had a career in the newspaper industry that spanned eight decades, primarily with Knight Ridder Newspapers. He also was a devoted supporter of his wife, the Rev. Dee Ann de Montmollin, in her Episcopal ministry.

In 1980, de Montmollin became president and CEO of Fort Wayne Newspapers Inc., overseeing The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel and the company’s business side operation. Though only in Fort Wayne for five years, he was actively involved in the community, including serving in leadership roles in the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Wayne Urban League.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 39 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel online at www.youtube.com/@st.francisepiscopalchurch5214/streams.