I just heard through the grapevine that Jay Kennedy died tragically while on vacation in Costa Rica. For those who don't know, Mr. Kennedy was the editor-in-chief of King Features Syndicate, one of the larger comics distribution companies.

Whenever I would send a comic submission package to the various newspaper syndicates, I would get the ubiquitous form rejection from most of them.(One unnamed syndicate actually sent me 10 form rejections in the same return envelope!) However, Jay Kennedy was one of the few editors who would consistently respond with a handwritten note of encouragement. It meant a lot.

I understand that he was, physically, not a very large man; but whoever takes over his responsibilities will have some very big shoes to fill. He will be missed.